I have the best job in the world!

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Quite a claim I know but working in the field of landscape architecture – and most especially with the wonderful people at terra firma – is a thing which I absolutely love. It would be selfish of me not to share my passion – there is so much opportunity within the field and the job market at the current time.

To give an idea of the variety of projects I’ve been involved with and tasks I’ve carried out, here are some highlights from the past month:

I visited a site which will have new housing for retired people to review how trees, wildlife and habitats will be protected

I did a planting plan for a new hospice garden which is about to be built

I figured out how 2 new fences could be built next to this historic wall and then discussed with the project engineer

I co-wrote a report detailing the likely effects of a new school for special needs pupils on local views

I took part in an employers day for students of landscape architecture at the University of Gloucestershire

I went to look at a newly installed play area which I had designed

I spoke to conference delegates about the importance of understanding a site and its context to create well-designed places

I visited a construction site where the landscape we designed is being installed, to inspect the system which will be below the paving surrounding a new tree to give space for future root growth without being compacted

And I talked through some of our projects with a potential new client

Letting the world know about the joys and importance of landscape architecture is one of the most important things I and colleagues within the profession can do because there are too few landscape architecture graduates coming into the workplace. People only find out about landscape architecture by chance and we at terra firma are making efforts to spread the word by:

Getting involved in career fairs at local schools – at terra firma we have a policy that every member of the team attends at least one event per year;
Writing to careers officers at local and county levels;
We are currently linking with other practices in our region to develop a co-ordinated approach to reaching out to potential future landscape architects in schools and colleges;
Talking at assemblies / clubs at our local schools;
Becoming STEM Ambassadors.

This postcard was designed to be handed out by landscape architecture lecturers at the University of Gloucestershire. It describes succinctly and engagingly what the opportunities are within landscape architecture and leads people directly to the relevant university to find out more.