A PROFESSION OF PATHWAYS

The landscape architecture profession is defined by the diversity of its pathways. 

Your comprehensive training is a passport that grants you entry into a wide range of specialized fields

• LA firms

• Planning firms

• Multi-disciplinary practices

• Government agencies - city, state and federal

• Design/build studios

• Construction and/or project management

• Adjacent fields like plant wholesale

• Non-profit leadership

• University Campus Landscape Architect

• Graphic Designer

• Content Creator

• Educator

• The opportunities are limitless

Finances in retirement that weren't on my mind, but it can be super impactful to your long term finances.

• Pensions - only state and federal jobs seem to have these anymore, but they can be a great way for extra guaranteed income in retirement

• Health insurance - I understand that California government employees can qualify for life time health insurance at certain levels and durations. Had I learned that prior to 2024, opportunities like that would have definitely been job search criteria at some point in my career. They say that health insurance is the single most expensive item in retirement. Having this can save you tons of financial concerns in retirement. 

• Student Loan forgiveness - after 10 years of working in a high need community, student loans can be forgiven. My combined time at PHS and PPR allowed me to not only have $20k of loans forgiven, I actually got a refund check worth a couple of thousand for overpayment. 

• High deductible health plans are great. They allow you to spend pay lower premiums and payments go directly to covering costs of service - until you reach the deductible. For healthy individuals, this is a great savings. 

  • Additionally, you should plan to max out your HSA saving contributions. You can only contribute when you have this type of insurance. HSA funds can be saved until retirement, not lost like Flex Spending Accounts.

  • I didn't realize I needed to invest my HSA for over a decade, so teaching you early so you don't miss out on a lot of growth like I did. There's a minimum you have to have in the drawdown, and invest the rest. 

  • I haven't had an HSA opportunity since OLIN, but I have thousands of dollars for medical bills in retirement when I need them. And now this amounts grows - depending on stock market of course.