Case studies: Senior landscape architect: Amanda

Landscape architecture allows Amanda to use a combination of skills, such as drawing, designing and talking to people...

I chose a career in landscape architecture because I thought it would offer me good career progression. Before university, I was a self-employed gardener and garden designer, but I then decided to go to university in order to learn more and progress.

I chose to study part time (both for my degree and the postgraduate diploma) and work while studying. This strategy worked well for me. I was able to get valuable and relevant work experience while at university and be promoted relatively quickly. My first job was as a landscape assistant, and I am now on my fourth job as a senior landscape architect. In my experience, it takes about three years to be promoted to a senior position.

My degree was very useful to me as it taught me how to research and how to think logically through a design process. It also helped me to create a portfolio which is required at all job interviews. I would advise students to experiment at university and try not to conform so that your creativity will come through in your portfolio.

Anyone considering this career must be very proficient with computers and confident at picking up new software (for example AutoCAD and Photoshop). Universities have limited amount of time to teach computing, so people have to teach themselves or find relevant courses. It's important to have this proficiency before going for job interviews.

Once in the job, I advise new graduates to be resourceful and hone good research skills. New graduates can sometimes feel intimidated by more experienced staff; it's important to have the confidence to push your ideas forward and make yourself heard. Often it is the new graduate who is most creative and can help push boundaries.

Finally, the pace of work can be surprising to a recent graduate: a six-month coursework assignment could be expected to be completed within two weeks on the job since it's for a real client with budget and time constraints.

At the moment, my job is wide-ranging, involving tasks such as contacting clients; writing supporting statements for planning applications; masterplanning public realm spaces; preparing budget costings; holding meetings with design teams; and working with town planners, highway staff and many other professionals.

The field is changing dramatically at the moment with ecological considerations taking centre stage. It is essential for a landscape architect to look at ecological values and processes within each project. It is also important to keep abreast of new technologies. In my field, I need to be up to date on areas such as drainage and paving.

Landscape architecture allows me to use a combination of skills I like to use, such as drawing, designing and talking to people. I enjoy the job a great deal and never get bored. I particularly enjoy site visits, site inspections and getting involved with local communities.

Writing reports for planning applications can be a bit repetitive. It's important to try not to regurgitate material and look at every application with fresh eyes. Another frustration can be when it feels like landscape considerations are low priorities, and I have to spend a lot of time convincing people of the importance of planting trees.

I expect to stay in my current job for several years. If I did choose to progress in the future, I would perhaps seek to work for a larger organisation or possibly set up my own company.