Thanks Carter, great video on our profession. I'm in my 47th year as a licensed landscape architect and I honestly don't regret any of those years spent designing the man-made environment. After graduation (WVU) and working in a design build firm, I was blessed to start my career with the US Army Corps of Engineers in WV working across 5 states and eventually in many areas of our great nation. The Corps had about 90 LA's on its national team. Landscape architecture is a wonderful pathway to express your God-given talents and love for nature and your fellow man. I was fortunate to add a MS in Urban and Environmental Planning at UVA in 1979 and integrate that added knowledge into my LA background. I highly recommend Carter's videos on the profession. Outside of my professors at WVU and UVA and several fellow LA's, Carter brings one of the best arguments for entering this profession and striving to make a future landscape where man and nature can live and flourish together. Try it, you'll like it.
I'm working over five years as landscape designer though my bachelor is in engineering field. After watching videos of professional landscape architects across on TH-cam including you, I'm planning to join the university again to enhance my carrier. Thanks for the video, you all inspired me a lot.
Love to hear it! And glad to see you transitioned over from engineering to LA. The skills you have in engineering will be of high value over on this side of the coin
Thank you so much for making videos like this! I just found this field a couple months ago and now it all I can see myself doing after high school, thanks to you i've fallen in love with the idea of landscape architecture. Very much appreciated :)
Have you met any landscape architects who got their start much later in life? I’m nearly 40 and considering a complete 180 from my current career in healthcare. Since I’ve been learning more about LA, I’ve become mildly obsessed. I would have to go back to school and start from square one and I don’t know if my brain has the ability to take it on. But I would love to know if any success stories out there.
I know 1 “quite famous” Japanese Architect who used to be a businessman then went back to school and started his architecture career at 33, now he above 60 closed to 70. He succeeded in his hometown Japan. So I think anyone can with lots of effort the sky is your limit.
I'm in my 30's and studied LA recently... and there were multiple mature students on my course... in fact, of all courses, LA I'd argue attracts the most mature students, and mature students are themselves becoming much more common nowadays. ALSO! My teacher told me herself she prefers mature students and think they study more diligently and end up having better work, so go for it!
Dude, phenomenal video. I am actually mainly looking to enter the Landscape Architecture field for environmental impact reasons. I'm about to finish up a bachelors in Organic Regenerative Agriculture and Permaculture Design, planning on heading straight into a Master's level LARC program after graduating. There's this kind of symbiosis I can see happening with those two skillsets - the design degree will professionalize my permaculture focus, and the grounding in regenerative agriculture and permaculture will "environmentalize" my work as a landscape architect.The way I see it the next evolution of all of our design fields is to become more environmentally focused - how can we design this space so nature and humans thrive, how does this material impact water systems, can we incorporate pollinator habitats etc.
Also if there is anyone who has a more technically skilled background and you want a better knowledge of environmental systems taking a permaculture design course would be a great first step. Verge Permaculture in Canada actually has PDC courses designed specifically for people with design/engineering backgrounds looking to make a transition to more ecologically minded line of work.
@@asadhus Not yet. I just finished up my application in the last week. Waiting to hear back from the admissions council, but the head of the program told me to expect to be accepted when I visited months ago. The program starts July 2025.
Just stumbled on your video today through my google search to know more about landscaping. Thanks for making this video. While making my research I became kinda confused because instead of seeing landscape designer, I saw landscape architect. Please I would like you to be patient with me as I ask some questions that will help me navigate my career path. 1. Is there a difference between a landscape designer and landscape architect? 2. I have a background in aquaculture/fisheries but I have always have a flare for aesthetic designs as concerning plants and our environment. Till today, I still love watching reality tv shows that are into gardening/garden design, patio, wildlife reserve/ conservation etc. I honestly never knew one could study this in school if not, this would have been my choice of study during my undergrad. I even went into graphic design just to see if my flare would be abated but I never found satisfaction. I really want to work with my hands and on the field. I know this can be alot of hardwork but I don't mind as long as I like what I am doing, Infact I currently work in a greenhouse here in my home country Nigeria and I have been looking for options to further on until I found your video. My question is how do I go about it as this course is not being offered in my country except just architecture. Should I go for a postgraduate diploma or something???? Thanks for your patience. I would love to hear from you soon 😊
This is 100% the impression I'm getting from degree, MS Ecological Design. I'm thinking about continuing into an MLA. Thanks for the confidence booster
Ive trained as a high level Horticulturalist in the UK. I have recently become obsessed with the idea of landscape architecture and I'm now considering doing a degree in my early 30s after I finish my current course. Will my background in Horticulture be useful as a landscape architect? Im assuming it will, as I have built up an extensive plant knowledge and understanding of gardens. I'm just worried if a career change is a good idea after I've spent so much time developing my current path, but Landscape architecture seems to build on what I've already learnt and I'm really interested in the field.
Your background absolutely will and is in my opinion one of the best skills to have as a landscape architect because a lot of us (myself included) don't have nearly enough planting knowledge. So I think you don't have to leave that knowledge behind if you were to pursue a degree in LA. You could even find yourself in a role that is tied more to plants depending on what type of work and firm you end up at. A lot of people will come to rely on your for your background in horticulture!
I've recently found this path, and am going to be applying to a program in February (it'd be my second degree as I hold a BA in Graphic Design , so fingers crossed I get in!). I'm hoping to use it as a was to be able to assist in better conservation within city centers, showing we can have beautiful public spaces that are also beneficial and in harmony with the planet. Thank you for giving me the information I needed as well as reaffirm this is what I want to do!
Thank you for this information.. I want to start a landscaping business. And I’m curious if having a degree in landscape architecture will help me in the long run. Because I do want to know what I’m talking about and doing.
This is awesome! I do wonder as some of you are commenting. Would I need to go back to School and take BA or MA in my early 30s? I have a degree in Graphic Design, past years worked as Product Design, Designer in general. Would it be enough to up-skill through courser or better take full route and commit to University? I always loved Landscape design but for some reason were fearing of it, haha. With tech industry going bananas, I feel I want to connect to something diverse but stable enough.
Hey Carter, I am currently a high school teacher (not reflected in this OLD photo of me lmao)…I am currently working on a M.S. in agroforestry at Mizzou. However, I am interested in incorporating edible landscaping into native ecosystems in urban areas to increase community resilience to climate change. However, I am torn between finishing my current master’s, finishing the “grad certificate”, or transferring to a landscape architecture program entirely. My reasoning for transferring to a MLA program is exactly as you said it - using the current infrastructure to heal our ecosystems AND integrate food production for vulnerable communities. Currently, I design small scale “permaculture-esque” projects for friends and residential clients; however, I believe we need to make sweeping changes to larger spaces. Do you think I would have more “success” in the mainstream landscape architecture world, or would I benefit from finishing my current program and working toward larger clients as a landscape “designer”? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Cheers and thank you for creating AWESOME videos.
Ive applied for a bachelor in something called "Landscape planning with landscape architecture". The bachelor focuses on ecology, knowlegde about nature and planning. If i finish this bachelor i can go in three directions. 1. spatial-planner (e.g. planning how a park should be formed and placed), 2. Landscapearchitect (needs a master) or 3. nature management (working as the countrys eyes and observer in nature being outdoors alot). Wondering if this is gonna be the right choice for me. I enjoy hiking and nature and i feel like im quite creative. My friends tell me so and i scored high on creative professions on a type of career-test. Might be hard for you to know but i just wanted to get some thoughts out and hear your opinion.
New to the channel and I really appreciate your coverage on this profession. May I ask what school you attended and what degrees do you hold? Thank you.
For your entry level job, how long did it take you to land it after graduation? Did you do any internships? What looks good on a LARC resume? I’m a Urban Design student and could use all the advice I can get right now
Thank you, and that is disappointing the hear.. Not really sure I have the right answer, moving to somewhere that does is the most obvious answer but doesn’t necessarily always make sense based on personal factors. So hopefully you can find something in your home country, or potentially make your own place
What about at age 45? … I’ve been a designer and art director for 20 years and I know I’d like it. I’m taking some classes toward a masters but haven’t started full time MLA yet. … I love it but I am worried about ageism in finding good jobs when I graduate.
my school doesn't offer landscape architecture as a major, do you think majoring in environmental science is beneficial and then pursuing a master's in landscape architecture, or would transferring be my best option.
I think it depends how far into school you are and how much money/debt you want to endure. While it's certainly helpful to have the E.S background if you absolutely know you want to do LA then you should make the switch. If not, having that degree as backup is great
So I own my own small landscape business, mainly maintenance and mowing and I'm very interested in this major. I did things kind of backwards in life. I had a family and started my business afterwards. Now at 34 I'm looking to broaden my business. How time consuming is this major? Would I still be able to spend time with my kids and wife while going to college for this major? Thanks for reading
Thanks Carter, great video on our profession. I'm in my 47th year as a licensed landscape architect and I honestly don't regret any of those years spent designing the man-made environment. After graduation (WVU) and working in a design build firm, I was blessed to start my career with the US Army Corps of Engineers in WV working across 5 states and eventually in many areas of our great nation. The Corps had about 90 LA's on its national team. Landscape architecture is a wonderful pathway to express your God-given talents and love for nature and your fellow man. I was fortunate to add a MS in Urban and Environmental Planning at UVA in 1979 and integrate that added knowledge into my LA background. I highly recommend Carter's videos on the profession. Outside of my professors at WVU and UVA and several fellow LA's, Carter brings one of the best arguments for entering this profession and striving to make a future landscape where man and nature can live and flourish together. Try it, you'll like it.
This!!
I'm working over five years as landscape designer though my bachelor is in engineering field. After watching videos of professional landscape architects across on TH-cam including you, I'm planning to join the university again to enhance my carrier. Thanks for the video, you all inspired me a lot.
Love to hear it! And glad to see you transitioned over from engineering to LA. The skills you have in engineering will be of high value over on this side of the coin
Thank you so much for making videos like this! I just found this field a couple months ago and now it all I can see myself doing after high school, thanks to you i've fallen in love with the idea of landscape architecture. Very much appreciated :)
Love to hear this!
Have you met any landscape architects who got their start much later in life? I’m nearly 40 and considering a complete 180 from my current career in healthcare. Since I’ve been learning more about LA, I’ve become mildly obsessed. I would have to go back to school and start from square one and I don’t know if my brain has the ability to take it on. But I would love to know if any success stories out there.
I know 1 “quite famous” Japanese Architect who used to be a businessman then went back to school and started his architecture career at 33, now he above 60 closed to 70. He succeeded in his hometown Japan. So I think anyone can with lots of effort the sky is your limit.
I'm in my 30's and studied LA recently... and there were multiple mature students on my course... in fact, of all courses, LA I'd argue attracts the most mature students, and mature students are themselves becoming much more common nowadays. ALSO! My teacher told me herself she prefers mature students and think they study more diligently and end up having better work, so go for it!
Hey, hows it going? Did you make your decision? I'm 42 and thinking of a career change to landscape design/architecture.
@@ydy2800 what career are you in now?
@@ydy2800 I’m going for it! I’m taking a few courses at a community college that I know will transfer, then I will start the LA program next fall.
Dude, phenomenal video.
I am actually mainly looking to enter the Landscape Architecture field for environmental impact reasons. I'm about to finish up a bachelors in Organic Regenerative Agriculture and Permaculture Design, planning on heading straight into a Master's level LARC program after graduating.
There's this kind of symbiosis I can see happening with those two skillsets - the design degree will professionalize my permaculture focus, and the grounding in regenerative agriculture and permaculture will "environmentalize" my work as a landscape architect.The way I see it the next evolution of all of our design fields is to become more environmentally focused - how can we design this space so nature and humans thrive, how does this material impact water systems, can we incorporate pollinator habitats etc.
Also if there is anyone who has a more technically skilled background and you want a better knowledge of environmental systems taking a permaculture design course would be a great first step.
Verge Permaculture in Canada actually has PDC courses designed specifically for people with design/engineering backgrounds looking to make a transition to more ecologically minded line of work.
Have you started your LARC masters yet? How is it like?
@@asadhus Not yet. I just finished up my application in the last week. Waiting to hear back from the admissions council, but the head of the program told me to expect to be accepted when I visited months ago. The program starts July 2025.
Just stumbled on your video today through my google search to know more about landscaping. Thanks for making this video. While making my research I became kinda confused because instead of seeing landscape designer, I saw landscape architect. Please I would like you to be patient with me as I ask some questions that will help me navigate my career path.
1. Is there a difference between a landscape designer and landscape architect?
2. I have a background in aquaculture/fisheries but I have always have a flare for aesthetic designs as concerning plants and our environment. Till today, I still love watching reality tv shows that are into gardening/garden design, patio, wildlife reserve/ conservation etc. I honestly never knew one could study this in school if not, this would have been my choice of study during my undergrad. I even went into graphic design just to see if my flare would be abated but I never found satisfaction. I really want to work with my hands and on the field. I know this can be alot of hardwork but I don't mind as long as I like what I am doing, Infact I currently work in a greenhouse here in my home country Nigeria and I have been looking for options to further on until I found your video. My question is how do I go about it as this course is not being offered in my country except just architecture. Should I go for a postgraduate diploma or something????
Thanks for your patience. I would love to hear from you soon 😊
This is 100% the impression I'm getting from degree, MS Ecological Design. I'm thinking about continuing into an MLA. Thanks for the confidence booster
Love to hear that! It’s all worth it in the end
Ive trained as a high level Horticulturalist in the UK. I have recently become obsessed with the idea of landscape architecture and I'm now considering doing a degree in my early 30s after I finish my current course. Will my background in Horticulture be useful as a landscape architect? Im assuming it will, as I have built up an extensive plant knowledge and understanding of gardens. I'm just worried if a career change is a good idea after I've spent so much time developing my current path, but Landscape architecture seems to build on what I've already learnt and I'm really interested in the field.
Your background absolutely will and is in my opinion one of the best skills to have as a landscape architect because a lot of us (myself included) don't have nearly enough planting knowledge. So I think you don't have to leave that knowledge behind if you were to pursue a degree in LA. You could even find yourself in a role that is tied more to plants depending on what type of work and firm you end up at. A lot of people will come to rely on your for your background in horticulture!
Hey, did you end up applying for LA? I'm also in the UK.
I've recently found this path, and am going to be applying to a program in February (it'd be my second degree as I hold a BA in Graphic Design , so fingers crossed I get in!). I'm hoping to use it as a was to be able to assist in better conservation within city centers, showing we can have beautiful public spaces that are also beneficial and in harmony with the planet. Thank you for giving me the information I needed as well as reaffirm this is what I want to do!
That's amazing! I wish you the best of luck with the application and in your future studies!
Thank you so much for having created this video. This was quite clarifying for me.
Thank you for this information.. I want to start a landscaping business. And I’m curious if having a degree in landscape architecture will help me in the long run. Because I do want to know what I’m talking about and doing.
You've convinced me, I'm gonna apply!
Love to hear it!
❤❤❤❤LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE!!!Do not limit yourself to any discipline study all design discipline!Science,Arts, Architecture,,thanks for sharing 👍
Thank you, your videos are helpful.
Glad to hear it!
Just started studying BLa in sri lanka.
Best motivation.
Thanks for the content 🤩🤩
This is awesome! I do wonder as some of you are commenting. Would I need to go back to School and take BA or MA in my early 30s? I have a degree in Graphic Design, past years worked as Product Design, Designer in general. Would it be enough to up-skill through courser or better take full route and commit to University? I always loved Landscape design but for some reason were fearing of it, haha. With tech industry going bananas, I feel I want to connect to something diverse but stable enough.
Thanks for this video! It was informative and inspiring.
Hey Carter, I am currently a high school teacher (not reflected in this OLD photo of me lmao)…I am currently working on a M.S. in agroforestry at Mizzou. However, I am interested in incorporating edible landscaping into native ecosystems in urban areas to increase community resilience to climate change. However, I am torn between finishing my current master’s, finishing the “grad certificate”, or transferring to a landscape architecture program entirely. My reasoning for transferring to a MLA program is exactly as you said it - using the current infrastructure to heal our ecosystems AND integrate food production for vulnerable communities. Currently, I design small scale “permaculture-esque” projects for friends and residential clients; however, I believe we need to make sweeping changes to larger spaces. Do you think I would have more “success” in the mainstream landscape architecture world, or would I benefit from finishing my current program and working toward larger clients as a landscape “designer”? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Cheers and thank you for creating AWESOME videos.
Ive applied for a bachelor in something called "Landscape planning with landscape architecture". The bachelor focuses on ecology, knowlegde about nature and planning. If i finish this bachelor i can go in three directions. 1. spatial-planner (e.g. planning how a park should be formed and placed), 2. Landscapearchitect (needs a master) or 3. nature management (working as the countrys eyes and observer in nature being outdoors alot). Wondering if this is gonna be the right choice for me. I enjoy hiking and nature and i feel like im quite creative. My friends tell me so and i scored high on creative professions on a type of career-test. Might be hard for you to know but i just wanted to get some thoughts out and hear your opinion.
New to the channel and I really appreciate your coverage on this profession. May I ask what school you attended and what degrees do you hold? Thank you.
Thank you! I went to University of Massachusetts and have a B.S in Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning
For your entry level job, how long did it take you to land it after graduation? Did you do any internships? What looks good on a LARC resume? I’m a Urban Design student and could use all the advice I can get right now
I actually had one lined up before I graduated, for me it was just a continuation of the internship I had done that year prior
Diversification is later,
To study landscape architecture the priority should be landscape architecture.
Hey Carter
I currently think about studying LA.
Do I need an apprenticeship beforehand?
no you don't need one to study LA however it's helpful to get an internship while you are a student
I rlly want to study landscape arch, but is really underrated in my country (lack of job opportunities in that field) what should I do? nice video btw
Thank you, and that is disappointing the hear.. Not really sure I have the right answer, moving to somewhere that does is the most obvious answer but doesn’t necessarily always make sense based on personal factors. So hopefully you can find something in your home country, or potentially make your own place
What about at age 45? … I’ve been a designer and art director for 20 years and I know I’d like it. I’m taking some classes toward a masters but haven’t started full time MLA yet. … I love it but I am worried about ageism in finding good jobs when I graduate.
my school doesn't offer landscape architecture as a major, do you think majoring in environmental science is beneficial and then pursuing a master's in landscape architecture, or would transferring be my best option.
I think it depends how far into school you are and how much money/debt you want to endure. While it's certainly helpful to have the E.S background if you absolutely know you want to do LA then you should make the switch. If not, having that degree as backup is great
So I own my own small landscape business, mainly maintenance and mowing and I'm very interested in this major. I did things kind of backwards in life. I had a family and started my business afterwards. Now at 34 I'm looking to broaden my business. How time consuming is this major? Would I still be able to spend time with my kids and wife while going to college for this major? Thanks for reading
Very time consuming, but I know many people who got into the field later in life and did great!