Why economic uncertainty might actually be the right time to make a move in Landscape Architecture

Written by: Hannah Ricketts, TYG Senior Consultant

It’s no secret that economic uncertainty is a growing concern across the AEC sector. In a lot of my recent conversations with landscape architects, I’ve been hearing the same thing:

"I’d normally be open to opportunities… but right now I’m hesitant because of the economy."

And I get it. After years of fluctuating project pipelines, rising costs, delayed developments and wider market uncertainty, stability is naturally going to feel like the priority.

But the people making smart landscape architecture career moves right now aren’t ignoring the uncertainty. They’re just being more considered about how they respond to it.

Because uncertain markets don’t just create risk. They also create opportunity.

Standing still isn’t always the “safe” option

Staying still can feel like the safer option because you know what you’re dealing with. But staying in the wrong environment while the landscape architecture job market is changing can come with its own risks.

Through my work in landscape architecture recruitment, I’m speaking with professionals who are:

• Underpaid compared to the market

• Carrying workloads that aren’t sustainable

• Seeing limited project diversity

• Feeling like their progression has stalled

• Concerned about leadership changes

• Unsure about the long-term project pipeline

And realistically, those problems aren’t necessarily going to disappear just because the economy improves.

Knowing what other landscape architecture firms are hiring for, what salaries are being offered and where demand is growing gives you a much better idea of where you actually stand. You might decide staying still is absolutely the right thing to do, but at least you’re making that decision knowing what else is out there.

The best Landscape Architecture firms still compete for the best people

Top landscape architecture firms know that good landscape architects aren’t always easy to find.

Even when the market slows down, firms are still looking for strong landscape designers, experienced project managers, technical specialists, senior landscape architects and people who are confident in front of clients or can help bring work into the business.

Hiring might be more considered, but the need for good people doesn’t just disappear.

The landscape architects who keep an eye on the market during quieter periods are often in a much better position when the right landscape architecture job opportunities come up.

You don’t need to be desperate to explore

I think one of the biggest misconceptions around landscape architecture recruitment is that you need to be unhappy in your job before you can start looking at what else is out there.

You really don’t.

Some of the most switched-on people I speak to keep an eye on the market even when they’re happy where they are. They want to know what salaries look like, what firms are hiring, what projects are coming up and what their next step could look like.

Especially in a specialist sector, where the right opportunity might not come around every week, staying connected to the market and having those relationships can make a big difference.

Whether you’re actively searching for your next landscape architect role or you’re just curious about what’s happening, knowing the market puts you in a much better position when it is time to make a decision.

Final thoughts

Economic uncertainty is going to have an impact on the landscape architecture hiring market. It affects how firms hire, how people think about moving and what opportunities are available.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities out there.

For some people, staying exactly where they are will be the right decision. For others, this might actually be a good time to see what else is happening.

The people who navigate these markets best are usually the ones who stay informed, stay connected and stay open to the right landscape architecture career opportunity when it comes along.

Talk to me

If you’re a landscape architect and you’ve been wondering what else is out there, even if you’re not actively looking, I’m always happy to have a chat.

No pressure to move and no expectation that you need to be ready to leave. Just a conversation about the market, what you’re looking for and whether there are any opportunities worth knowing about.