Praxis in Landscape Architecture

Tough times test us. And landscape architecture students who graduated in the last 2-3 years have been tested. The bold, tenacious ones seem to have found ways to make it, even if their motivation and sense of self-worth have been challenged along the way. When they land in a job they love, it is especially sweet. That is the case for Mark Bogdan, a BLA graduate of 2010. He has found his first good career opportunity with a nonprofit organization. (As I keep hearing about new grads being employed by nonprofits, I wonder if it is a trend.) Mark generously shares his experience here in the hope that it will help other newly minted BLAs and MLAs.

I was very worried, nervous, frustrated, almost angry about graduating in this difficult economy.  I tried to make it a point to ‘stay within the industry,’ and I used my past experiences to filter through the job search.  Since I had some construction and site design experience, I applied for everything from entry-level LA, construction foreman at a construction company, residential design/build, nursery worker (to learn more about plants), etc.  Since I had no ties, I applied to big firms who had work in China, India, Dubai, Europe (anywhere and everywhere). Still I had no bites for a job.

I ended up working for a small design/build company in the Adirondacks. I was very frustrated there, especially since I had great experiences in my past internships, working for great multi-disciplinary firms. Even though I felt like I was learning, I wasn’t happy where I settled. The truth is, it was a good first job because it helped me learn what to look for in a company, and it helped me grow in terms of my job search/ company profile/scope of projects. I was putting in 70 to 80 hours a week on salary and barely covering my bills. So I could not stay there long.

I continued to search for work, again with no ties. I remained in touch with the networks I had formed in the past – previous employers, fellow designers I had met at ASLA expos, etc. I received an email from one of my old bosses, and he sent me information about a not-for-profit organization that was hiring a green infrastructure planner. I felt it was a shot in the dark, but I had to apply. It was difficult to travel back and forth for the interview process, but, at that point, I was willing to do ANYTHING for my foot in the door. I ended up getting a second interview and landed the job after a very competitive interview process. (Over 80 people applied for 1 position.) I landed the job, and I have been happy ever since.   🙂

Some things I recommend for the job hunt:

1.    Make as many contacts by networking as possible. Every month or so, shoot them an email, keep the conversations going. Ask for assistance in the job search. Even though they might not be hiring, they can point you in the right direction. (It happened for me.) Keep in mind that they too have contacts, and they can reach out for you.

2.    Use the summer and semester breaks to gain as much practical experience as possible (internships, volunteering, summer work that reflects the industry).

3.)   Stay positive and be flexible. I felt like everything was against me for the job hunt, but I expanded my job search to areas of the industry I thought I would never work in. Not that you feel desperate, but the people hiring have the advantage (having 80 applicants for 1 job position), so it is important to be flexible. Maybe start part-time or even volunteer, just to get your foot in the door.

4.)   Always update and adjust your application package to the jobs you are applying for. I sent out work samples from my portfolio that were tailored to the job I was applying for.

Most of all, I feel it was difficult to remain positive, and it was a true test of self motivation. Like I mentioned, I had no ties, and I was willing to move anywhere for a job. But if I hadn’t made it a point in my education to use my summers to learn and grow within the industry, I would have been short-changed from possible job opportunities. I feel it is very important to look outside your comfort zones and use the summers to learn. Everything you take in and learn can be applied for future job opportunities.