School of Planning, Design and Construction

ALUMNI ADVICE TO STUDENTS & EMERGING PROFESSIONALS

Insights from MSU Landscape Architecture Graduates

It is an amazing time to be a landscape architect. As the world increasingly recognizes the power of nature to address critical issues like climate change, social equity, and public health, the profession is stepping into a new era of relevance. More than ever, there’s a deep desire to connect people with place — and landscape architects are uniquely equipped to make that happen.

Yet, this moment is also marked by uncertainty. Shifting political values, environmental urgency, and the pervasive influence of social media are contributing to a sense of instability, anxiety, and self-doubt for many. For those just beginning their careers, it may feel difficult to envision a clear path forward.

To help light the way, several Michigan State University Landscape Architecture alumni have offered their insights. These professionals have navigated the evolving field of landscape architecture and share their advice for students and emerging professionals as they begin to chart their own course.

Paul R. Andriese

Vice President, Principal, Grissim Metz Andriese Associates | BSLA 1983

• Play to your strengths - recognize your strengths and weaknesses. Promote what your best at and strengthen your weaknesses.
• Learn from others - observe what others are doing, whether at school or in the office or in the profession in general and apply what you learn to your own growth.
• Learn process - process is fundamental to so many things. Understanding process, and the most efficient way to move through it and its associated tasks will make you a better practitioner.
  
  

Brad Bouchard

Associate, Grissim Metz Andriese Associates | BSLA 2014

• The profession of landscape architecture is vast. You can specialize in something very specific, or you can work on a wide variety of project types. Find what you are passionate about, and enjoy making our world a better place.
  
  

Timothy A. Britain

Principal, VIRIDIS Design Group | BSLA 1989

• See as much of the world as you can.
• Attempt the impossible! Working toward things that seem unachievable can teach you the most about yourself.
  
  

Robert Chipman

President, Robert Chipman Landscape Architect, Inc. | BSLA 1981

Peter T. Crawford

Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Technology, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park | BSLA 2008

• You will find there are many ways to take what you’ve learned from the LA program and your time at MSU and apply to any number of professional opportunities.  The world is changing rapidly – socially, politically, environmentally, technologically, etc.  Never has our profession been more critical in the role we play in bringing people together on a global scale and in an incredibly divisive and hostile time.  Your work will shape the world, quite literally.  Be patient, work hard, be curious and open-minded and never stop growing.
  
  

Bob Doyle

Senior Principal, SmithGroup | BSLA 1985

• Never stop learning.  You can rely on what you know and what you have done, but you shouldn't base your work solely on your past experience.
• Don't become dependent on what others in the profession are doing.  Precedent images are great for inspiration, but explore your own creative solutions driven by the site, program, and community.
• Don't accept barriers established by others for your career, what you want to learn, and where you want to go.
• Find your home in the profession and thrive there.  Just because you don't fit into a particular firm or area of the profession does not mean your potential contributions to the world are limited or not important.
  
  

Alex Fenech

Principal, Hitchcock Design Group | BSLA 2011

• Travel the world. It offers so much inspiration through sight, sounds, tastes, and touch! Bring those experiences into your projects and practices as a Landscape Architect.  
• Never be afraid to ask “what if…?”.
• Embrace the culture of our profession and lean into the relationships, opportunities, and educational experiences it will offer you. 
• Own your seat at the table in project meetings and discussions - we are born to lead and inspire. 
• Stay curious. Stay humble.
  
  

Sandy Fischer, FASLA

Board Member, Pacific Horticulture | Founding Principal, Fischer-Bouma Partnership | BSLA 1976

• Stay curious, keep learning, try new approaches, pivot when you need to, maintain relationships, and always act with integrity.
  
  

Susan L. Grissim

Vice President, Principal, Grissim Metz Andriese Associates | BSLA 1981

• Our profession is so broad with so many opportunities,  get out to immerse yourself first  and learn a broad range of skills that makes you marketable to companies so you can get practical experience.  Later you find out what really excites you and what you want to focus on and contribute to our profession.
  
  

Dan Lord

Chief, Finance & Operations Division, MI Department of Natural Resources | BSLA 2000

• Don’t be afraid to take the road less traveled 
• Ask lots of questions and be curious 
• You can never have too many friends - build and nurture relationships.
• Make time for what’s important to you.
• Family first! As much pressure as your career can put on you, moments in life with family go quickly, don’t miss them! 
• We’re not guaranteed tomorrow so make the most of today
  
  

Kyle Verseman

Regional Sales Manager, Southeast Region, Landscape Forms | BSLA 1997

• Find good mentors and be one when the time comes. A good mentor doesn’t need to have all the answers.  They are generally good listeners and can help you see a path you may not have considered.  
• Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you.  Grow your network – this will serve you greatly, both personally and professionally.
• Don’t stop evolving and remember why you chose this profession:  Design trends change. Technologies change.  Keep a growth mindset – lean into learning.  Ask questions, tag along on field visits, keep sketching, keep writing, keep presenting.  Continuing to develop these skills will make you unstoppable.
  
  

Richard G. Houdek

President, Principal, Grissim Metz Andriese Associates | BSLA 1988

• When starting at a new firm / company and involved in a project, ask questions. Never feel a question is too insignificant…many times this may be a question another person was thinking as well. It may also lead to another thought.
• Don’t feel that you’re just there to input data. Learn the process of how a project should flow. It will help you learn more about the project and become invested. This shows drive and interest from management and will lead to more project involvement. 
• Listen and observe other projects going on in the office. The more you learn on how things are built, the better a designer you become. 
• Get involved in other organizations and volunteer. It feels great, helps others and you meet people. This often leads to building a foundation of connections which will be extremely helpful during a career. This is probably one of the most important things you can do. Meet people! You never know where the next project is coming from or where your career will lead you but having connections opens many avenues. 
• Enjoy what you’re doing. I will always remember a quote from Gwen Frostic (Michigan artist) when we visited her art studio in Benzonia, MI during a class trip at MSU.  “Life without work is a dream, work without Life is drudgery”. This is a fantastic profession…enjoy it.
  
  

Vicki McGhee-Anthes

Planning & Infrastructure Section Chief, State of Michigan | BSLA 1982

• Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.  You will learn from them and be a stronger professional for them.
• Be innovative!
• Learn from the professionals with expertise in the areas that excite and intrigue you.
• Throughout your career, ask the people who exhibit professional traits that you most appreciate to mentor you. Don’t wait to be invited.
• Participate in committees and teams, professional and recreational, to broaden your perspective.
  
  

Jessica Pilon

Associate, SmithGroup | BSLA 2013

• Just remember that your career is a marathon and not a sprint. You don’t have to have everything figured out right when you graduate. Give yourself room to breathe and space to explore different interests along the way. Never be afraid to ask for the experiences that will bring you satisfaction in your career, remember you are your greatest advocate! Always stay curious and inspired!
  
  

Peter Sanderson

Project Manager, Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission | BSLA 2008

• School is an excellent foundation but your first few years working professionally will expand your knowledge rapidly as you pursue licensure. 
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. There are lessons to learn in every step of the process on every project. Work hard to find a mentor and develop that relationship.
• Explore public sector career paths as an option because you will be the client as opposed to being responsive to the client. However, my advice would be to have a few years of experience under your belt first because there are fewer staff at these organizations which may offer fewer opportunities for mentorship early in your career.
• Computers are powerful tools but it’s easy to get too focused on the minute details. Don’t forget to think through the design at different scales and never underestimate the value of a quick hand sketch to communicate an idea.
• Be sure to put time and effort into practicing speaking publicly and think about how to explain complex, technical topics to non-technical audiences. You may have the best design in the world, but if it can’t be articulated to the client, it may not be implemented.  
  
  

Curtis Schaldach

Project Landscape Designer, Grissim Metz Andriese Associates | BSLA 2017

• Be patient with your growth. Mastery comes slowly through experience, observation, and repetition.
• Be a sponge with your colleagues. Absorb as much knowledge and wisdom as possible.
• Stay interdisciplinary. Great landscape architecture draws from all sorts of realms. Ecology, art, urbanism, sociology, and beyond! - don’t box yourself in.
• Embrace curiosity and humility. Listen deeply, sketch often, and remember that your designs are not just for today, but for generations to come.
  
  

Lori Singleton

Design Director & Vice President, SmithGroup | BSLA 1998

• For at least the first five years of your career, your job is to learn, stretch, absorb. While you will contribute much through your efforts and ideas, your curiosity and hunger for growth are your most valuable assets.
  
  

Hillary Hanzel

Landscape Architect & Capital Project Manager, City of Ann Arbor | BSLA 2007

• Enjoy the people in the profession — One of the joys of practicing landscape architecture is getting to work with the great group of people that the profession attracts.  Get facetime in the office, both with leadership but also with peers.  They will help form your future professional network and could even become lifelong friends.
  
  
• Be bold in your designs and networking — If there is a firm or organization you’d like to work at, set up an informational interview and make the connection with their hiring and leadership team.  Even if a job isn’t available now, they will remember your tenacity and think of you if future opportunities arise.
  
  
• Embrace unexpected changes in your career path — Your career will meander in unexpected ways, but don’t be afraid to take a leap and try something different or outside the traditional realm of LA.  When offered the opportunity to change or stay the same, take the opportunity to change and grow in new ways.