Finding work in the world of landscape

More often than not, they’ll tell you their specialism: be it design, planning, management, or science. Perhaps they’ll mention the types of landscapes they work in: public realm, parks, or countryside. They might talk about the sectors they work with, which could be anything from housing, transport, or energy to education, health, communities, and conservation. It’s normally a mixture, and it will have varied throughout their careers.

The landscape profession covers a broad range of roles – and it’s getting broader. This is great news for those looking to develop their career in the profession, and there may be more opportunities out there than you realise!

Online job searches are always a good place to start; there are plenty of general jobs directories out there, as well as dedicated landscape jobs boards.

As tempting as it is to jump straight into applications, it can initially be useful to use such sites to research the different roles available and kinds of organisation that are hiring, and consider how they align to your skills, interests, and ambitions.

Reading job adverts can guide your search for similar roles and teach you more about the different organisations you might join. Following organisations on social media and researching them and their projects via their company websites, Companies House, and the LI’s case studies directory can help grow your understanding.

Going one step further and contacting the organisation directly – whether they have a live advert or not – puts you directly in touch with people who are hiring and can also signpost you to other potential roles.

There’s plenty you can do in the meantime to feel ready when you do start looking for a job. A great place to start is the LI’s careers website #ChooseLandscape, which features career profiles, a landscape course directory, and blogs such as top tips for graduates.

Also consider contacting universities and colleges who run landscape courses, as they are likely to provide careers advice to students and graduates or have links to employers through professional practice groups and at exhibitions and open days.

Elsewhere, you can find careers advice from UCAS and the National Careers Service, including tools such as skills assessments and interview advice.

It’s easy to get lost in the tangle of web pages and blogs, so save useful links to go back to, and take a break from the screen. One of the best things about landscape is that you can be in it, enjoying it and learning about it, without being at a desk! Look out for events and activities; you never know if one will lead to the next step in your career. The LI and our regional branches are always organising events, Awards, and competitions. Be sure to look out for specific careers events – such as Learning from the landscape of the Olympic Park on Monday 20 June.

If you’re not already a LI member, consider joining! It’s the best way to stay informed, as well as access a range of benefits and demonstrate to potential employers that you’re serious about a career in landscape.

As well as career choices and job opportunities, we’re now also facing decisions about how and where we work. This is due in no small part to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also stems from companies’ ambitions to reduce their carbon footprints and become more digitally agile, as well as recognition of the mental and physical health benefits of remote and hybrid working.

This can provide new, flexible opportunities for entering the world of work, but can also be overwhelming – for employers and employees alike. If you’d like find out more about how employers are approaching the new hybrid future, the Investors in People knowledge page is a very useful resource.

Broader geopolitical factors can also affect the world of work, in the UK and abroad. The LI monitors this macro environment and provides updates to members about how developments such as Brexit and landscape skills shortages might affect career opportunities in landscape.

If you’d like to discuss landscape careers and #ChooseLandscape further, please contact careers@landscapeinstitute.org.