Many people believe that to become rich and successful, they must find a job in the space of tech and Artificial Intelligence. However, it can’t be farther from the truth. As it turns out, with an increasing environmental protection awareness, creating a sustainable world with green and lush outdoor spaces has become of utmost importance, giving rise to multiple successful landscaping career options.
A Brief Overview of Landscaping Industry
Landscaping revolves around the act of creating, designing, and maintaining outdoor green spaces. Think of your garden, the park near your home, or any other outdoor spaces associated with greenery. The people responsible for creating these spaces are a part of the landscaping industry.
A booming industry, especially as the world adopts environmentally conscious practices for a sustainable future, landscaping offers fresh grads as well as experienced candidates looking for career change or growth an opportunity to develop and grow their career in the field of landscaping.
As more people wish to add lushness and create green sanctuaries for themselves, even in a small space, the role of the landscape industry magnifies every year, and so does the job search that this evolution creates worldwide. If you’re new to the sector and are wondering how your future goals can fit in with the landscaping business, check out the six rewarding careers in this somewhat unexplored field below.
Landscaping Careers That You Must Consider
If you think that landscaping careers are just limited to gardening and mowing lawns, these six professional landscaping jobs will intrigue you.
Arborist
If you always wanted to be a doctor but were squeamish around blood, now’s your chance to be a tree surgeon! Being an arborist means being responsible for the overall health, care, and maintenance of native plants in commercial and/or residential gardens.
The main job responsibilities of an arborist are to plant trees, prune and trim branches for soil health, conduct risk assessments, and remove invasive and harmful pests when necessary. While formal education in forestry, horticulture, or botany is beneficial, you can even start with a certificate course to find entry-level roles and improve your skills with on-the-job training.
Landscape Maintenance Technician
As a landscape technician, you’ll find yourself maintaining the landscape of outdoor spaces such as golf courses, public gardens, and parks, as well as commercial properties. Think of landscape maintenance technicians as the jack of all trades who are responsible for managing the irrigation systems, lawn care, plant growth, and pest management, along with other day-to-day tasks.
If you want to build a career in landscape maintenance, it’s vital to adopt and learn about sustainable practices, have a deep understanding of how successful landscaping businesses work, have deep knowledge of plant species, and have impeccable organizational skills to fulfill the duties that this physically demanding job requires.
Hardscape Supervisor
A hardscape supervisor, as the name suggests, is someone who is responsible for overseeing the installation and maintenance of artificial elements in a landscaping structure. Some common examples include pathways, patios, gazebos, plastic greenhouse covers for seasonal use, installation of water features such as a rock water farm, and other necessary items that an outdoor space requires to thrive.
If you want to become a hardscape supervisor, having an advanced knowledge of project management, horticultural knowledge, quality control, client communication, safety compliance, and a deep understanding of sustainable practices can help you carve out a career path for you in this industry.
Landscape Designer
If you’re a creative individual with an interest in adopting green practices for a sustainable future, you can make a difference in the aspects of landscape design. Landscape designers are known to manage landscape projects ranging from designing public parks to residential properties. It’s preferable to have a background in plant science, though not necessary.
However, an understanding of landscaping equipment, sustainable design practices, aesthetic features such as rain gardens and sprinkler systems, and strong organizational skills can definitely help you bag upper management roles in the field. An associate degree in landscape design can be crucial in helping you get advanced roles as a landscaper.
Greenhouse and Nursery Grower
If you want to be surrounded by plants and flowers, becoming a greenhouse and nursery grower can be fun and fulfilling. A greenhouse and nursery grower has a strong impact on aspects of landscape design and how different plants are cared for in a technologically fast-paced world. In this role, you’ll find yourself managing and distributing plants for residential and commercial use. The role is primarily found in horticulture and agricultural industry.
From the seeding stage to the final harvest, you’ll be responsible for plant propagation and care at each step. You’ll also play an important role in managing the effects of environmental changes on plant health and devise new plans to increase the growth of plants in an environmentally- conscious manner. A deep understanding of managing greenhouse equipment, business management, environmental impact and a degree in horticulture can prove beneficial to succeed in this role.
Agronomist
If plant science and growing things intrigue you, a career in the field of agronomy is perfect for you. As an agronomist, you’ll specialize in adopting sustainable practices for optimal plant growth and agricultural productivity. The key responsibilities of an agronomist involve dealing with important issues such as soil evaluation, crop management, understanding plant genetics, improving plant health through extensive research and development, and using eco-friendly practices to reduce the negative environmental impact accompanying agricultural practices.
Agronomists work in both private and government organizations to help reduce greenhouse gas effects. They may also be required to provide their services in various research institutions. Having technical expertise and a strong hold over problem-solving and analytical skills can help you become a successful agronomist.
Skills You Need To Learn For a Successful Career in Landscaping
Learning about landscaping involves an amalgamation of soft skills and technical competence, especially if you’re looking to start a successful career in landscaping. Here are the top four skills you must know to start the field.
Acquiring Basic Hardscaping Techniques
Whether you directly work in the field of hardscaping or not, having a basic understanding of how the structure and functions of an outdoor space come to be is an important aspect of becoming a successful landscaper. Invest in a certificate course or classroom training to learn about this aspect of becoming a landscaper.
Becoming Proficient In Landscape Design Tools
Visualization is a crucial aspect of becoming a successful landscape project manager in any niche. Whether you want to create rural or urban designs, if you want to grow your career as a landscaper, having a working knowledge of landscape design tools such as AutoCAD, Vectorworks, SketchUp, SmartDraw, and Planner 5D can help you understand the intricacies and various aspects of landscape design to create aesthetically pleasing and sustainable outdoor spaces such as a rock water farm.
Understanding of Different Plant Species
Plants are classified into different types based on their shape, size, color, and which part of the world they’re abundant in. As an aspiring landscaper, having a deep knowledge of different plants and how to care for them can help you land a successful career in landscaping. You can use your horticulture knowledge to create outdoor spaces that reflect values of sustainability and are aesthetically pleasing.
Learning Soft Skills That Align With Your Chosen Career Path
Apart from the skills given above, the need for learning different skills will vary on a combination of different factors, such as what niche you pick, whether you want to upskill or reskill yourself, as well as what level of career you’re in at the moment. Finding soft skills that match your career needs can help you transition into advanced-level roles at a faster pace. For example, by learning and showcasing abilities such as problem-solving and team management, you can easily become a project manager and advance your career in the field of landscaping.
How To Start Preparing For A Career In Landscaping?
So, you’ve evaluated your preferences and are ready to become a professional landscaper. Wondering what you need to get started? Follow the steps below to find the right landscaping job for you.
Get a Degree
To start a career in the field of landscaping, you must get a degree that matches your interests and industry standards. A combination of education and skills is essential for succeeding in any career, so utilize your time to gain some experience while getting your degree in a field such as botany or forestry. Taking up internships during your education will help you understand the application of the theoretical knowledge that you’re learning.
Complete an Online Course
If you’ve decided that you want to change your career now, or you already have experience in landscaping and want to upskill yourself, an online course with certification can certainly make you appear as a suitable candidate for landscape organizations. Find a niche that interests you and enhance your knowledge of the field by taking an online course in an area that engages your attention.
Build a Resume
Once you’ve completed your education and certifications and have learned a few intricacies of the landscaping industry through internships, it might be time to put that information together and present it in the form of a professional portfolio. The portfolio should highlight your specific skill set so that you can get more opportunities to grow and find a role that’s suitable for you. You can also apply for apprenticeships to gain insight into how the industry works and where you can fit in the process of landscaping, sustainability, and a greener world to build a resume that you’re proud of.
Final Thoughts
As more landscaping companies emerge and expand, the growth of landscaping careers and landscape professionals is inevitable. The field of landscape offers multiple career opportunities to new graduates and continued opportunities for experienced professionals.
The increasing demand for landscaping careers provides a competitive edge to individuals seeking advanced and entry-level jobs in the industry. If you have a knack for adopting green practices in your day-to-day life, a career in landscaping can be extremely fulfilling and economically rewarding with the right combination of education and skills.
We’re a team of writers dedicated to providing insights and tips for navigating the professional world. With a collective wealth of experience across various industries and roles, our team understands the challenges and opportunities that come with seeking meaningful work and advancing your career. We help job seekers to better their careers by offering career advice & free resources. Download free Word resume templates and resume templates for Google Docs.
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