Career Paths in Landscape Architecture

Each year, members of ASLA’s Professional Practice Networks (PPNs) are surveyed on a different theme. In 2013, the focus was favorite spaces, and the results of that survey have been highlighted here on The Field. Now, we are moving on to the 2014 survey—the theme: career paths in landscape architecture. As you can imagine, the responses were as varied as the different trajectories taken by all those in the landscape architecture field, and included many insightful comments and suggestions. Synopses of the survey results were originally shared in LAND, and we are now re-posting this information on The Field. For  updates on the results of the latest PPN survey, see LAND's PPN News section.

We received an impressive number of responses (395) to the 2014 survey from a diverse range of individuals in terms of sector, region of work, and level of experience:

• Every PPN is represented, and Sustainable Design and Development—the largest PPN—had the most respondents.
• The East, South, and Midwest are all equally represented, but the West had the most respondents.
• 7% of respondents practice internationally.
• 70% work in private practice.
• 50% have 20+ years of experience.
• 56% work in firms, agencies, or organizations of 25 or fewer employees.

Below are a few highlights from the results, which will be explored in greater depth in upcoming posts.

What was your favorite subject in school?

Art was the most popular answer, selected by one-third of respondents. Science came in second.

What one characteristic or skill is most essential for success in landscape architecture?

Popular responses included:

• communication
• adaptability
• attention to detail
• creativity
• passion
• patience
• problem solving
• visualization.

Which sector do you find most rewarding to work within?

Nearly half of respondents selected the public sector, but the private sector was not far behind, with 42 percent.

How do you like to work?

Some 60 percent of respondents prefer sketching ideas out by hand rather than working on a computer.

What one word would you use to describe landscape architecture or a landscape architect?

Popular responses included:

• awesome
• creative
• diverse
• essential
• holistic
• multifaceted
• steward
• synthesizer
• versatile
• visionary.

In future features, we’ll continue to pull out unique responses, summarize trends, and highlight the most popular answers. By drawing attention to the many paths that might be taken within the broad field of landscape architecture, we hope to spark discussion among readers about their own experiences and the insights they’ve gleaned over the course of their careers.