I am not sure if this post is immediately relevant to this subreddit and if it will get taken down. But here goes.

I am 25, currently completing my Master’s in Landscape Architecture in Perth, Western Australia, and due to graduate mid-next year.

I have a five-year Bachelor’s in Architecture and will have spent around 7.5 years in higher education by the time I graduate. I have a few architecture internships under my belt, but no substantial professional experience. After completing architecture, I chose landscape architecture because I genuinely love the field, and I’ve even taken additional units in urban design, anthropology, and sociology purely out of interest and a desire to deepen my understanding of the social and spatial dimensions of the built environment. My father is a landscape architecture manager in Qatar, and seeing how much he enjoys his work and the career he has built was a huge inspiration for me growing up.

I came into this degree feeling genuinely excited about what I could do with it. Unfortunately, I’m finding the reality of studying it increasingly difficult. I enjoyed studio initially, but I’m now perpetually burnt out. The workload feels relentless, with all-nighters and sometimes going 48-55 hours with barely any sleep just to keep up, especially when folio submission is around the corner. No matter how much effort I put into my projects, I often feel like it’s never enough. I’m exhausted to the point where I cry every day, and the stress is beginning to affect my sleep, appetite, and physical health.

On top of that, I’ve spent this entire year applying for internships at consulting firms, smaller landscape architecture and urban design practices, local studios, and government orgs. Not only am I applying independently, but am also applying through my university’s internship programmes, but I’ve had little success beyond rejections and being ghosted.

What makes me feel worse is that I’ve had my portfolio, CV, and cover letters reviewed by my professors and mature students in the class with experience in the field, including the professor responsible for internship placements. One caveat - my portfolio is mostly architecture related owing to my bachelors degree and previous work with architecture firms, but even so, I’ve received very encouraging feedback, with the professor in charge of placements, telling me my portfolio was among the best she had seen. I sat with her, got all her feedback, and made the recommended changes and continued applying, but I’m still not getting anywhere.

I understand the industry is competitive. I’m not expecting a job to fall into my lap. I’m willing to work hard and start wherever I need to. But after months of trying, I’m struggling to understand what I’m doing wrong? If even securing an internship/grad program is proving this difficult, I’m genuinely frightened about what happens when I graduate and need to find a full-time position?

I see architecture and LA graduates from my uni struggling to find work, and it’s making me question whether the years I’ve invested in this field will pay off. I came into this degree with so much excitement and hope, and now I’m exhausted, anxious about the future, and questioning decisions I once felt confident about.

I’d really appreciate some honest perspectives, particularly from people working in Australia. How difficult was it to land your first internship or graduate position in landscape architecture or urban design? Did things improve once you gained experience? For people involved in hiring, how much does a lack of local experience matter, even when a candidate has a strong portfolio?
Does professional practice feel significantly different from university studio? I’m struggling to tell whether I’m exhausted by the field itself or by the way I’m experiencing it through university.

And does it get better? I feel frightened, exhausted, and increasingly disconnected from something I once felt so excited about. I’m trying to figure out whether I need to change my approach, adjust my expectations, reconsider my career plans, or simply give myself some grace during a difficult period of uncertainty.

Thank you. ♥️

Hey guys! I am a landscape architecture student at a big SEC school! I love it here, but I have lived in the south my whole life and I am looking to move to the pacific northwest. Now, as most of you know, the plants and ecosystems in the PNW are entirely different from down here!

My question is, what is a really good school I can go to in like maybe Washington for my masters to get that experience I need to get my certification up there?

I want to be a landscape architect in near future and I’m planning to enroll into National Forestry University of Ukraine. Can y’all explain a little bit more about the landscaping itself, I’m curious about your opinions. Also I tried to make kind of a park in my town (written in Ukrainian, black lines are sidewalks and in the centre a fountain) let me know if y’all like it or nah

I am currently a senior, and have been looking into getting an MLA, preferably somewhere in the southeast (US). I am planning to graduate in Spring of 2027 with a BS in Biology with a minor in English. I was previously on the pre-Dental track, but I was not testing too well and I have a decent GPA just not enough for the dental school competition loll. One of my professors recently introduced me to landscape architecture and it looks like something I’d enjoy a lot more as I’m interested in nature as well as designing spaces. I’ve always just been more of a creative person in general and I think this will be a lot more intellectually stimulating for me as it seems to combine the environment with design.

I was just wondering if I should start looking at softwares and/or building a portfolio now for my applications, and possibly just some tips on how to go about the MLA application process. Also if there are any current students who can share their experiences or post grad work that would be awesome!!

All my tests are greyed out and support isn’t responding.

My wife and I recently moved into a new home near Atlanta that we love! The front yard was done well already; however, the back yard is somewhat of a blank canvas. The only issue is that our lot slopes pretty heavily in the backyard (looking out from the back of the house it slopes right to left).

We are looking for recommendations on Landscape Design or Landscape Architect companies that people have worked, with good reviews, who can help us plan out the best way to make the backyard more enjoyable!!

Please send any and all recs!! Thank you!!

I’ve posted on this subreddit a few times now and had success connecting with people, so I’m back with another one.
I’m looking to connect with US-based, licensed Landscape Architects who are able to sign/seal drawings in the state(s) where they hold an active license.

This is not a full-time role. It’s project-based, overflow work at $200/hour.

The setup is pretty straightforward: you would initially meet with the hiring manager so you can get to know each other, understand the type of work they do, and make sure there’s a fit.

From there, they’d keep you in their network and reach out as projects and overflow work come up.
Looking for:
• US-based Landscape Architects
• Active LA license in one or more US states
• Able to sign/seal drawings in your licensed jurisdiction(s)
• Comfortable taking on work on an as-needed/project basis
• $200/hour

This could be a great setup for someone running their own practice, consulting independently, or simply interested in picking up additional project work when availability allows.

If interested, DM me with the state(s) you’re licensed in and a little about your background or you can connect with me on LinkedIn.

I (24F) am in my 2nd year of my 3-year MLA program at a more elite university.

I definitely have undiagnosed adhd (per loved ones who either have it or know someone with it.) and struggle w my own mental health problems and chronic migraines and such.

I feel like I am so bad at grad school. I need specific instructions to get things started, and I overcomplicate things very easily by trying to tackle more than I can chew. Ive always considered myself creative but I just cant formulate any original ideas for my projects. Im always checking in on what others are doing and feeling inadequate because they are so self-motivated while I struggle to get started on things until the last minutes. I envy my neurotypical studio-mates for being able to sit down and work on things without guidance, and I feel like I annoy them by asking what they’re doing and how they came to those ideas.

i also cant really talk about my ideas in a sophisticated/professional way. im very casual and struggle with word recall anyway because of my migraines.

i get worried about my future employment opportunities… i feel like three kids in a trench coat

How have you dealt with imposter syndrome and struggling to be original/creative/innovative? how do you motivate yourself without reassurance seeking?

I have a biological systems engineering background (bachelor's) and will graduate with an M.S. in plant and environmental sciences next December. My thesis is focused on rain gardens and bioretention cells.

Over the course of my higher education, I've realized that I am really interested in landscape architecture and urban-ecological design. Do landscape arch. companies typically hire engineers/would my engineering background and M.S. combo be attractive to firms? I will likely be looking for jobs in Northeast USA. Thanks...

Hey there, im an aspiring landscape architect and i have around 7 months to prepare for a screening exam. The exam mostly tests creativity and sketching capabilities. A question which might show up is to design an outdoor area based on a certain prompt [place for solitude, R&R, for students and kids, etc].

Id very much like some feedback on these sketches and concepts ive made. In terms of legibilty and soundness of the concepts.

Thank you.

Finally got my results but no call back after “24 business hours,” or whatever tf there answering machine says lmao

The results are finally in, and registration for the Winter LARE is open. The registration is buggy as hell, and I haven't been able to register yet, i keep getting an error code. ARG!!! I have called in with a pic of the error. ALSO, you have to redo your attestation (SP?), in your record or you cant register for any new exams, just a heads up.

One of the new books that they're recommending for the Construction Documentation and Administration exam is Construction Contracts: Law and Management, a book that is primarily concerned with BRITISH contract law. Great job CLARB, I'm so glad we are giving you our money for a new website that doesn't work and books that are like tangentially related to LA practice. You really can't make this crap up.

This is proving to be the trickest one by far for me - I don't deal with grading at my job much. So for someone unlikely to get much practice on that side of things, what should I do?

For books, I have Site Engineering for Landscape Architects, as well as the Lareprep, for all the good those did. I notice two more books up in their recommended list - Green stormwater infrastructure fundamentals and design, as well as Low impact development and sustainable stormwater management. Useful, or just ways to get me to spend more money?

I come from an urban planning background and I don’t love it so far, I much prefer design. I’m heavily considering landscape architecture, and from talking to the landscape architecture faculty at my university they made it seem practically every (masters) graduate WILL get a job, and the AILA matches graduates up with mentors to help them with the licensing process. Does this sound right/align with your experiences as an LA? While i don’t love urban planning, I wanted to stick with it because the job prospects seem very secure/in demand. I was wondering if it is similar in LA.

Also I work as a drafter right now for a manufacturing company, so i’m decent at CAD. Would this be useful?

Results should be posted now!

Hello LA community. I’m looking for advice on how to talk to my manager about their lack of respect for me and my growth as a designer.

Background: I’ve been working for around 5 years, and have worked for 2 firms. My experience at my first firm was terrible, so I had rose colored glasses on at my current firm for about 2 years. This past year, I’ve been noticing how little I and my ideas are respected by my boss. I will work on a project, send updates, and come back the next day to my CAD file being completely changed. Geometry is different, lines are no longer connected, xrefs unlinked. I understand I’m a young designer and changes are always being made, but there is absolutely no collaboration. When asking why changes were made, it’s all based on my managers preference. Another maddening aspect is that we work with our fair share of douchey architects, who have a lack of awareness on site circulation and how the outside of a building works. My breaking point was hit when I came up with an interesting ramp and patio design, which was scrapped overnight as it didn’t match what the architect had. The reason is because I suggested an elevated patio outside of a senior living entry. The architect showed an at grade patio, which would require residents to use the ramp each time they want to sit on the patio. Not the biggest deal, but when on the site visit all of the residents were sitting directly outside of the door to avoid going down an existing ramp. My manager did not push back on the architect and completely disregarded my design.

My question is, how would you proceed with this? My goal is to have my work be my work. Something I can get passionate about and that I created, rather than having to do all the work to realize somebody else’s idea. I’m not sure how to go about this as my manager is the highest up boss, and it’s a small company where drama spreads fast.

Please help. I’m at my limit and losing my love for this profession.

An American landscape architect tries to come to grips with his new job—greening a new town in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He meets a Belgian, an old hand familiar with the Arabian Peninsula. Then over glasses of non-alcoholic grape juice,… they talk.

THE SECOND BOTTLE

The Belgian old hand, JeanClaude, began, “When I read your Moroccan writings, I was intrigued by your explanation of human suffering with a unique turn of phrase, ‘…threw the baby out with the alchemical bath water’. In part, that is why I am here, mon ami.

“You are a landscape architect, into ethnobotany and alchemy. You are a rare animal. West Africa. North Africa, Arabian Peninsula. Those all have ancient roots in the landscape.

“Let us stick with your writings for the present. The road to Santiago de Compostela that your good friend was about to follow has an established alchemical history, revealing secrets to Nicolas Flamel. We should not get into too many details.”

I listened. I had never found a professor at university or a professional colleague interested in discussing these topics.

JeanClaude continued, “Why do you think there is so much confusing and contradictory information about alchemists and alchemical research?”

He paused. I sensed that was a rhetorical question. I was right.

“I will tell you, mon ami. Portals. Your portals—you had difficulty describing what actually happened to your consciousness when traversing your plant portals—why? Because they are what alchemists were working with—what they were trying to explain and learn about. Isn’t that in your colloquialism ‘some heavy shit’?”

I said nothing as all he said began sinking in.

“The alchemists’ allegory? Plants changing human perceptions, plants causing human transmutation. And so, here we are. The Arabian Peninsula, rich in everything but soils and water. Rich? You may wonder? I am not talking about sand, oil or minerals.”

He paused, then said, “Before we go further, CJ, let’s open that second bottle of grape juice.”

“I used to drink grape juice as a kid but it was so different, Welch’s, it was called.”

“Concord grapes, Vitis labrusca, CJ—native to North America. That’s what you were drinking. These are European, Vitis vinifera.”

“Let’s get back to the Arabian Peninsula and its landscape.”

“Patience, my friend, we were speaking of millennia of human existential explorations, not one of your project presentations to the Saudi Royal Commission.

“Roots. The roots of this peninsula have traceable linguistic identification including Arabic, Latin, Greek, Persian and Egyptian. They all have been blended and explored by the people of this peninsula. Deep and rich.”

And I thought my time in Morocco got into deep roots. I said, “Do you not blend landscape roots with cultural roots when you define ethnobotany?”

“Exactly, mon ami. Let me tell you about the Emerald Tablet—the link between this peninsula, the Greeks and the Egyptians.”

“Emerald Tablet?” I asked.

“Yes, it is simple, mon ami, and it is non-different from what you learned in Tangier. It is simple—the answers are in the green.”

“Answers?”

“Maybe I should say, the path is in the green. Deep history is riddled with unexplained events, don’t you agree?”

I nodded.

“There is no need to hide from anything—answers and strength are in the green. Just do it. Just follow the path and you will find your strength and answers. Even the Saudi flag is green—why? Where did that come from?”

I asked, “But what about this project, this peninsula…”

He knew this question was coming. “We are getting there, mon ami, we are getting there. This peninsula is old and rich very unusually. It is multi-layered puzzles within the beauty of Bedouin-spoken Arabic. Its written and unwritten contain a deep feeling of intimacy with nature in the Arabian deserts—vivid imagery, exact observation, and shape-shifting unknown sources generating a bottomless… endless… timeless reality. 

“You would do well to hold that as the base as you develop a green city amid this desert.”

This was a funny conversation. It was vague, but encouraging.

“So let me say that I have read Alan’s notes about your complaints.”

JeanClaude paused and looked me straight in the eyes before continuing, “…no plants, no nurseries, no horticultural skills—that is your work. What are you thinking is your job? Get a suntan?”

I thought I saw a smug grin forming from the corners of his eyes. He moved ahead saying, “Those are problems for you to solve. Listen, my friend, build a city botanical garden, build a city nursery, start a joint program with a university and a trade school, hunt for and propagate native plants—do not try to tell me nothing grows here—the rare native plants are all drought or salt tolerant—find them, work with them, and start a local irrigation test facility. Set up those programs and I can assure the funds for your company’s operating budget.” Then he paused. 

He had quickly opened a bunch of doors I hadn’t even seen. I felt a growing enthusiasm for my work. Then just as quickly, he became socially collegial again.

“We have not finished the grape juice or this conversation yet. You wanted more that related to your projects? Let us look at oases. Tell me what you know.”

“Oases? They are undependable sources of water that can support date palms and minor agriculture when they are fresh. They are geologic/geotechnical phenomena related to slow fluctuations in the water table.”

“Close enough. Now let me enrich that with historical stories from before the mu’allaqaat (sands stories that attach themselves to the heart).

“The mu’allaqaat are written. What I am about to explain are oral only. You know the bible story of Lazarus?”

“I know what I learned in Sunday school… years ago. Tell me.”

“Jesus brought back the dead Lazarus to life. I will say a little more because oases, here in this land so very rich in existential history, are still a magnetic energy. They reach back to a time before our current world—knowledgeable people from the Indian subcontinent speak of those times as the age of truth. But in recent millennia many people speak of oases as scattered places where grievous injuries and diseases can be cured.

“Some say these oases were part of civilisation prior to the whispering sands. Due to bad behaviour, abuse toward others and abuse of the landscape, humans were cursed to become djinns. And the djinns who did malfeasant, if I can translate with flexibility to English, are known as the league of shadows.”

“But most important for your work, mon ami. Listen carefully. The majestic date palms, still found in many oases, are the centres of Bedouin family life. They are the remnants from that prior civilisation. Never take oases or date palms lightly. They are environmental touchstones (baraka) for the Arabian Peninsula people.”

If I wasn’t slack jawed, I sure felt like it. The grape juice was finished and so were our talks. 

***

Hello guys I’ve been apart from landscape architecture for four years and in that time AI has captured everywhere.
I want to go back to landscape architecture and I trying to refresh my knowledge about drawing programs. Are them still using? Or is there any new program to know?

Results just showed up on my CLARB record. Make sure to set up your new account if you haven't yet.

hi! i'm a residential landscape designer in alberta, canada & am wanting to expand services into places in the states, probably starting out with arizona and california because they are easiest / cheapest for me to get to right now. the climate in alberta is obviously terrible and its hard to even start designs during winter because of the snow and not being able to see the landscape - plus the lack of plant selection. just thought itd be cool to work out of other cities & its something ive always wanted to do. I would be willing to fly in/out of each place once in a while, especially during the winters .

any ideas what the best way to start this would be? i dont have a huge amount of completed residential projects, as ive just began as a designer 6 months ago and the majority of the larger projects ive worked on are set to start work next spring. but i do have a couple, and lotsss of design drawings, 3d models & photorealistic renders.

im not expecting to be booked and busy right off the bat , but it would be nice to have 2-3 projects from other hardiness zones under my belt while i have a few months off this winter.

im a dual citizen also if that matters

The title really says it all lol - I graduated with my MLA in May. Have a contract position in the field as a Landscape Designer but I’m looking for a Real Job with benefits. Healthcare and all that would be awesome. Have been applying seriously since June, only had three interviews in the city I’m moving to. I figured it was best to take the leap and just move. Hoping to find something soon, that’s it