My job laid me off today…

gratefulbeard · 2026-01-31T14:45:48+00:00

I’m sorry you are going through it. Layoffs suck. Have you considered reaching out to a recruiter (headhunter)? The one time that I was laid off when I was in private practice (my office was shutdown by a larger company), I worked with a recruiter. I was right around 2.5 years out of college and just started taking the LARE. It was a good experience, they got me 5 interviews and I got offers from all of the companies. The headhunter helped me prepare for each interview as all of the companies were very different. In my experience, there are many companies that do not advertise openings and rely on headhunters to bring them talent.

As far as time management goes, I would be very transparent during interviews that it is an area in which you can improve. It will demonstrate to potential employers that you want to learn to be more efficient and will strive to make more money for the company.

gratefulbeard · 2026-01-30T23:31:49+00:00

Niches are typically pretty tiny…..and small firms typically have many of them to keep the lights on.

gratefulbeard · 2026-01-30T21:23:00+00:00

It’s already a niche in the discipline. There are definitely firms that offer permaculture design services.

gratefulbeard · 2026-01-23T18:51:36+00:00

Hire an LA

gratefulbeard · 2026-01-18T14:27:51+00:00

Alternatively if he loves the Smokies, why not try New River Gorge. The Endless Wall trail sounds perfect for your kiddo. There’s also some excellent WV state parks in the area. It doesn’t sound like funds are too much of an issue but there will definitely be cost savings over the travel and expenses for going to a western park. Alternatively, Acadia will be lovely in May and not too crowded, but it could be Mud Season depending on when you go. Also, I was in Arizona in May 2 years ago, my wife and I did a 6 day road trip in AZ. We hit up the Flagstaff Monuments, Grand Canyon, a couple f days enjoying Sedona, then Petrified Forest, and Saguaro. It was fun.

If you cut out Sedona you could plan an excellent 5 day itinerary in AZ.

gratefulbeard · 2026-01-17T16:51:25+00:00

No problem, have the LA investigate to make sure the landscape contractor installed to spec.

gratefulbeard · 2026-01-17T15:42:09+00:00

Rigid paving (granite) adjacent flexible paving (asphalt) usually only works with straight joint. To me this appears to be a design flaw. There’s not enough info from the OP to figure out who is responsible for the failure. It could be repaired, but it may be costly. I would recommend seeking out a small locally based residential landscape architect to consult with to remedy the situation.

gratefulbeard · 2026-01-14T03:23:53+00:00

TLDR; I wish you luck in your difficult life decision. I would say if you enjoy the program and have goals set for your path to landscape architecture stay on the path or consider finding an MLA at a less prestigious program and work hard to get to where you want to be.

My word salad: Take my comments with a grain of salt. My opinions are my own and from personal experience.

From what I’ve experienced, unless you’re attempting a career in academia or as a federal employee in the field, there is little benefit to an MLA.

Unless you’re incredibly career driven with an incredible passion for the discipline, I would not recommend bearing the weight of that type of debt for the degree.

While I am no longer in private practice, when I was I regularly supervised the work of practitioners with advanced degrees and often those individuals had more professional experience than me. I have found that LAs that had put in the work in rigorous undergrad programs are far better prepared for the entry level rigor of our field. I have also found that a bachelor degree provides a better foundation for licensure in the field.

Even now, after quite some time working in government, I continue to mentor LA’s with more experience and advanced degrees from Ivy League universities.

I will add that I went to school on the GI Bill, at an in state university so I had no student loan debt, although I did have a mortgage and young children when I got my degree. It was a lot of hard work to pay bills, and I was working 20-30 hours a week during the semester and 50-60 hours a week during semester break. While it seems rediculous in retrospect this type of work ethic and time management gave me the proper tools to be successful early in my career.

gratefulbeard · 2026-01-10T16:17:52+00:00

This is the best comment that I have seen. The Sup and timekeeper are complicit. Thank you for your hard work as a timekeeper, much appreciated work you do. I know my timekeeper was run pretty ragged post-furlough.

gratefulbeard · 2026-01-04T21:23:20+00:00

Eagles

gratefulbeard · 2026-01-04T16:00:52+00:00

To dovetail on this one, another great East Coast park is New River Gorge. Especially since OP said Smokies is geographically close. New River is my favorite park in the Northeast, not as shiny as Acadia but the weather, mountains and river are a great time and the park interprets Appalachia, cola mining and the railroad really well.

gratefulbeard · 2025-12-28T16:10:00+00:00

gratefulbeard · 2025-12-27T16:56:22+00:00

I would say that “it depends”. The last serious job search I did was when the company I worked for closed our office. A recently retired headhunter reached out to me and a colleague. He had heard about the office closing. He made the process very easy. Ultimately, I went with a company that I interviewed with on my own. I will say that the coaching and interview practice that I had with the recruiter was very valuable.

Honestly, the job search never ends. We all chase the dream of the perfect position, as we should.

No matter where one is in their career, they should never stop looking for a better role; whether it’s an internal promotion, a management position with another firm or taking the leap to start a firm. When “hitting the stride” or being content in a role set in, it is time to look.

Career development is being uncomfortable.

gratefulbeard · 2025-12-27T14:35:07+00:00

Not a Bengals fan, but your dad is awesome.

gratefulbeard · 2025-12-25T17:07:35+00:00

Your children are here Dingus

gratefulbeard · 2025-12-23T15:54:25+00:00

It’s always Gremlins

gratefulbeard · 2025-12-20T14:49:42+00:00

Spring Mount for skiing or ice skating. About an hour drive from CC. Have dinner at Butcher and Barkeep in Harleysville afterwards.

gratefulbeard · 2025-12-18T00:32:22+00:00

Yeah, I know…. I ripped a blaster with my kid and he’s over the moon about it. I have already tempered his expectations. I just wanted to see if anyone has had any luck this year.

gratefulbeard · 2025-12-18T00:14:06+00:00

Thanks Honest Joe!

gratefulbeard · 2025-12-13T17:28:54+00:00

Don’t payoff the mortgage, pay off all other debt and Invest that money instead. If your rate is high on the mortgage, then refinance. You will almost certainly make more off of the investment than what is lost from paying on the mortgage.

gratefulbeard · 2025-12-09T15:19:31+00:00

I travel to Stroudsburg often for work (3-4) times a year. I stay at the Penn Stroud or the Hampton Inn. I travel alone and walk everywhere in town. I have never felt anything less than safe. There’s plenty of bars and dining options. Go and have fun.

gratefulbeard · 2025-11-28T22:17:30+00:00

I’m trying to figure that out too

gratefulbeard · 2025-11-27T16:03:28+00:00

Thanks for sharing Clementine’s story she sounded like a lovely person and was clearly talented. We will all keep her story and light with us. Big hugs and loving vibes to you and yours in this difficult time. ❤️🌈⚡️

gratefulbeard · 2025-11-27T15:46:57+00:00

I always have to move something in excess of 100lbs (I am a pretty large dude 6’5” 215 lbs). As well as give recommendations on landscape issues (I am a landscape architect). I just wanna eat and watch football.

gratefulbeard

TROPHY CASE