Karlee Saylor 3A by Karlee Saylor

1. Job Description & Responsibilities

ksaylor24 — 2024-02-21 17:27:15 UTC

Landscape Designer: An independent profession of design and traditional art, which combines both nature and culture.

I have this job right now.

What I do is first take calls from clients requesting their yards to be either fixed up or remodeled entirely.

Next, I will be sent photos of the clients yard, as well as a 3D image of the yard.

The 3D image is imported into the app I use, Iscape, and from there I can add or remove things that my client requested be changed. Sometimes I'm given the privilege to give my own suggestions on what I think would look nice, but in the final product, whatever my clients say goes.

What my workdays look like vary on the season. During the off season, my day consists of just taking calls and testing out updated features in Iscape. When it's winter-spring time, that's when I'll be taking 3 times the calls, and forwarding my final digital models to my bosses and clients. If approved, the landscape crews will be sent to the clients house to bring my work to life.

2: Working Conditions

ksaylor24 — 2024-02-21 17:35:32 UTC

I work in the main office building on the property, it's just me, Katie, our secretary, and my two bosses, Travis and Chris, my father.

During the off season, I work less, usually around 3-5 hours every night. In the busy months, it's typically 8 hours or so, maybe more if I'm needed.

On school days and in the summer I work the evening shift, and thankfully I don't work on weekends, at least not yet. Once I graduate I'll be in the building practically the whole day.

Unless I'm visiting a clients house, I'm in the office infront of my computer. It's definitely more emotionally exhausting, I really only speak to the people present in the office during the day, I hardly ever get to see the actual crew, as they're almost always out and about working outdoors.

Although not exhausting, I often feel deprived of movement. Sometimes I'll have to step away and do a lap around the property to get my body to relax again.

3: Local Earnings and Benefits

ksaylor24 — 2024-02-21 17:47:17 UTC

Hourly I make around 19-20 dollars, and I haven't made it this far yet, but supposedly I should be making 70 thousand dollars yearly. I'm on the lower side of the salary range, as the range for PA goes from $68k - $130k a year. (crazy)

Since my dad owns the company I work in, he decides most of the rules. There are no paid vacations, the only exception being maternity leave.

Despite no paid off days, we're allowed a generous amount of sick days. It's been months since Ive needed one, so I'm not sure of the exact number.

For my position, there are no healthcare benefits, that's for our machine operators and our crew.

4: Employment Trends

ksaylor24 — 2024-02-21 17:48:23 UTC

California is the state with the largest amount of employed landscape designers. This could have changed since the last time I learned this info, but Texas was the state most likely to have available positions located there.

Architectual and Engineering industries employ the most people capable of this work.

There has been limited employment growth in our state though. From 2022-23, only about 1,800 job openings popped up. More for me I suppose.

5: Qualifications

ksaylor24 — 2024-02-21 17:53:52 UTC

There is no degree needed to persue this path, though you will need to take online courses about Landscape Design. Even though I have the position now, I'm still attending my courses. There's always something new to learn about, even in a field you think you know well.

You're going to have to be a good talker, as we're on the phone and a lot of the time.

Good social skills and just general awareness of yourself and what's around you is also a must. Never forget to be observant!

You're going to have to interact with clients, whether in person or over the phone, so try your best not to be too awkward.

6: Educational Institutions

ksaylor24 — 2024-02-23 17:01:59 UTC

The following are some of the best fitted colleges that provide the necessary learning for a landscape design position:

Temple University, Philadelphia PA
University of California, Berkeley CA
Cornell University, Ithaca NY (private school)
LCCC, Lehigh PA
University of Georgia, Athens GA

7: Job Benefits & Drawbacks

ksaylor24 — 2024-02-23 17:07:03 UTC

Two Positives:

The pay is great. I'm supposed to make $70k this year
Great for Recluses. I prefer to be indoors myself, so aside from visits to houses, you're basically inside the whole time, it's great.

One Negative:

You're staring at your computer screen a LOT. Definitely consider buying blue light glasses if you're interested in this job, it will help with eye strain and headaches.
Even with the glasses, please take time to step away from the screen for a bit!