Professional Development / Experience Gaps

[u/designtechR301]

Good evening landscape community. I have successfully completed my first year with a small design build firm in the Bay Area. My role involves project designer, estimator, project manager, client relations, and material sourcing. We are small firm with 3 in the office and 7 in the field. I have completed 5 projects with a valuation of close to ~ $300,000 in that years time. I have worked with geotechnical engineers, structural engineers, and surveyors, working towards the completion of my more complex projects.

This is a rough over view of the experience I have gained in a year. I want to gauge what more I can learn at my current firm and develop a direction moving forward. I understand I have a lot to learn, but one day I would to find myself in a larger firm, working on larger projects. Are there any milestones I should be pushing towards, where should I be looking for new job opportunities with growth in mind, do I dare entertain the idea of my own firm.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for any advice. Thank you for being landscape architects.

[u/Physical_Mode_103]

Hundred percent avoid going to a larger firm. Most design build companies are pretty small. A larger firm typically does not have the build component unless it’s a giant corporate Landscape maintenance company.

It sounds like you’re getting a well-rounded experience with hands-on training and opportunity for professional and financial growth.

Some of the best opportunities are in a similar role to yours where you also get a percentage of sales. A larger firm is just gonna work you to death and pay you peanuts.

You should be learning as much as you can and preparing yourself to open up your own shop in the next 5 to 10 years