We asked eleven landscape professionals, all at different stages in their careers, to tell us what inspired them to follow a career in landscape and what advice they would give to others. Their answers show the breadth of talent, experience and passion across the profession. They explain how they trained, what is important to them about the profession and how they would recommend it to others.

Yue Rao Chartered Member of LI and a landscape architect

Yue Rao

Yue is a Chartered Member of LI and a landscape architect. She graduated from The University of Edinburgh with an MLA in landscape architecture and is about to move to Australia.

What inspired you to study to become a landscape professional?

My bachelor degree course was a combination of interior design, architecture and landscape architecture. After a few years I found that I was more interested in landscape architecture. I like outdoor and natural spaces, plants and animals, I would like to create a space not only for humans but for wildlife as well.

Originality can’t be programmed and demand for landscape professionals will continue to grow as other profession are replaced by AI.
Yue Rao, Chartered Member of LI and a landscape architect

How did you train, what sort of work experience did you have?

I started my internship in a small practice called Spacehub, working on mixed use/housing projects in the UK. Then I joined Grant Associates where I worked on large planning projects, public realm, schools and universities, hospitals, and international projects.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Working with creative people, and develop-ing exciting design projects, and seeing my design and my work finally get built!

What do you find most challenging about your job?

The legal, law and responsibilities thing! As a professional, I need to be careful of what I’ve done, and what I’ve said, as mistakes may cause problems to myself and the company.

How do you make your mark on the world?

I worked on Tianjin Friendship Park in China last year. My major inputs were the water park and the wetland. Tianjin is a key location for migratory birds, and the park will create a pleasant environment for both humans and wild life.

What trends do you predict for your industry within the next 2/5/10 years?

Humans must learn to share the world with wildlife. Technology will develop a smarter and greener city.

What would you tell someone who is thinking about becoming a landscape professional?

What you do will make an impact in the world, for human and for nature.

Why is the landscape profession a great career path to get into?

It’s a career which can bring changes to everyday life and have huge impact on the environment around us. It’s a profession that can shape our future world; when you see something you designed getting built, you feel proud – you know you made a mark on this planet. It’s a profession which provides a platform for creativity and which recognises and rewards hard work. It’s a profession for people with great ideas and originality. And it’s a future proof career. Originality can’t be programmed and demand for landscape professionals will continue to grow as other profession are replaced by AI.

Why is the landscape profession so important to the future of society and the environment?

We are facing all sorts of challenges nowadays, climate change, flooding, pollution, reduction of wildlife population. Many people are aware of that, but have not enough knowledge to make changes. As landscape architects we use our professional knowledge to help decision makers to make sensible choices, hence to create a more sustainable environment.