Landscaping & Architecture Max Geary

Job Description/ Overview Landscape architects design outdoor areas. They decide what kind of plants, walkways, and other items to include. They decide exactly where each item should be planted or built. Their overall goal is to make sure public and private spaces are both beautiful and functional. While preparing a design, landscape architects consider other factors. They consider local and federal rules that protect the land. They may talk to environmental scientists about ways to restore natural resources. In addition, they may talk to engineers or architects about how to arrange roads or buildings. Most landscape architects create their designs using Computer Aided Design (CAD). This is a program that prints a detailed design from a computer drawing. Landscape architects meet often with clients to present drafts of the plan and receive feedback. When the plan is approved, landscape architects make working drawings that outline exactly how it will be built. In addition, they draw up a list of materials needed for the job. They may also supervise the planting and construction of the site.

Wages Median Wages Pay Period United States Oklahoma Tulsa Hourly $29.12 $18.00 $19.73 Yearly $60,560 $37,440 $41,050 Landscape architects who work for small firms may receive fewer benefits than those who work for larger companies. Typical benefits are sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Self-employed landscape architects must supply their own insurance.

Skills & Abilities Communicate Reason and Problem Solve Use Math and Science Manage oneself Work with people Perceive and Visualize

Outlook Much of the demand for landscape architects will be from new construction. This is expected to increase in the coming years as the economy recovers. New construction must comply with environmental regulations, land use zoning, and water restrictions. Landscape architects will be needed to help plan sites and integrate buildings with the natural environment in the least disruptive way. Landscape architects are also expected to work on existing sites. Some work will be preserving historic lands; other work will be replanting sites that were modified by past construction. In addition, many landscape architects will be hired by homeowners. When the economy slows down, landscape architects may face layoffs. This is because people have less money to spend on landscaping their homes.

Knowledge Design Building & Construction English Geography Engineering and Technology Customer and Personal Service Public Safety and Transportation Administration and Management Biology Computers and Electronics Law, Government, and Jurisprudence Mathematics Psychology Fine Arts Sociology and Anthropology Human Resources Communications and Media

Helpful High School Courses Art Computer-Assisted Drawing Drawing and Painting Horticulture Accounting Entrepreneurship Introduction to Business You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Physical Demands Sit for long periods of time. Speak clearly so that listeners can understand. See details of objects whether they are nearby or far away. Understand the speech of another person.

Work Activities Meet with clients to discuss what they want. Observe and gather information about the site, such as lighting, water flow, and surrounding buildings. Create the design, considering how the area will be used. Consider local and federal rules to protect land. Discuss project with architects, engineers, and environmental scientists. Use Computer Aided Design (CAD) for many stages of design and drawing. Use Geographic Information System (GIS) on larger jobs to gather information. Present drafts to clients and get feedback.