鼓勵此網誌：1
這個世界上的行業千百種，只要用心做，行行都能出狀元。然而，許多台灣人在選擇事業的價值觀則是以能不能賺錢為標準，我不知道現在的趨勢如何，但在幾年前，許多人不是一窩峰地趕流行地唸財經企管，不然就是電腦，比較會唸書考試的，就想辦法唸醫。有趣的是，許多台灣人移民到了多元的美國，想法依舊，教育小孩也是不脫這種一元的價值觀。
很少人選擇一個事業，是因為這個社會欠缺什麼，或是因為自己可以貢獻給社會或世界什麼 — 我們從來都沒有被教導要這麼想。幾乎從國中到大學，因為學區和以分數決定學校和科系的關係，我們就讀的學校讓我們接觸到的同學和朋友越來越均質化，讓我們對未來事業的選擇，還有「成功」的定義越來越狹隘。
也許，因為自己放棄了一個可能有「賺錢」潛力的路不走，反而受到社區運動的感動，冒險地走進一個之前完全不熟悉的專業：那個一般人以為不過是設計庭院花草的「地景建築」（或是「景觀建築」）專業，讓我更能體會事業選擇中，比賺錢更重要的驅力。
當然，地景建築或是環境規劃這個行業是不太賺錢的。我還記得，幾年前當我還在西雅圖工作，回台灣探親訪友時，一個有著名校MBA學位的朋友問我薪水多少，當我把那實在不高、但可以讓我過得很開心的薪水數字告訴她時，她那不可置信的表情。是的，即使在人民所得遠低於美國的台灣，搞金融的她每個月賺的錢可能都多上我好幾倍。我們自同一所大學畢業，畢業後的這幾年我相信我在工作和學業上的努力絕不小於她，為何我們賺的錢的數目差這麼多？
重點是，我的薪水不高不是問題，為什麼那些知道如何把錢搬來搬去就可以輕易地日進斗金？目前的全球金融風暴，已經揭露了這個現象的荒謬！
回到地景建築。地景建築這行不但不會讓你在財富的經金塔上登峰造極，而且就業市場也總是深受經濟景氣的左右。但我走在這條路上，比走在其他找不到我自己的路上更為快樂，因此，看著那些循著「正路」一路從事金融、財經、或企管的人早已過著優渥的物質生活，我卻從來沒有後悔過。
當初選擇唸地景建築研究所，實在完全沒有考量賺不賺錢這件事。這幾年偶然發現，地景建築被美國的商業雜誌評為是前景，也讓從業人員容易獲得工作上的滿足的事業之一：請參考以下兩篇舊的部落格文章：
這幾天透過The Dirt的報導又發現US News雜誌將地景建築師列為2009年三十個最佳事業之一。 當然，我不知道這份評量到底客不客觀，但也種是對這從事這個行業的所有朋友的鼓勵，更希望的是，說不定這份評量可以吸引更多優秀的人才投入地景建築這個領域！
以下轉貼US News的文章供參考：
Best Careers 2009: Landscape Architect
By Marty Nemko
Posted
Overview. Yes, you might end up creating palatial backyards for rich people, but you might also help design restored wetlands, mountain resorts, urban plazas, and zoos. A landscape architect must have talent for both the aesthetic and the functional, the art and the science—you're creating an ecosystem that must thrive over time. Indeed, sustainability has increasingly become a high priority among many landscape designers and clients. One of the latest innovations includes green roofs, which are plants set in a layer of compost over a moisture-proof barrier.
Since it costs little to open up shop, 20 percent of landscape architects are self-employed. Those who are less entrepreneurial work for firms or for the government. One thorn: Landscape architecture projects are subject to an ever growing thicket of government regulations. To be content in this career, it helps if you're an avid environmentalist and can tolerate the often labyrinthine approvals process. And if the stress builds, you can always seek a moment of peace in one of your landscape projects.
A Day in the Life. You've started a new assignment: designing the landscape for a school district's administration center. You've already met with the developer, project architect, civil engineer, hydrologist, and government regulators. Today, you're considering the site's sun patterns, land slopes, and soil characteristics. You read the results of a questionnaire you gave to the site's future users, trying to figure out what would make their experience most pleasant and efficient. Then, using a computer-design program, you sketch out a first draft of the site's land grading, building placement, walkways, and roadways, along with decorative features such as plantings and a fountain. Next, you head out to the work site for a walk-through, documenting your stroll with a camcorder. You get excited as you set up a meeting to present your draft plan to the client. If only you didn't have to spend two days writing a sheaf of land use and environmental documents for the government.
Smart Specialty
Ecosystem restoration. Governments and nonprofit groups are restoring increasing amounts of land to their primitive states. This trend will very likely accelerate in the new administration and Congress, and with environmentalism ever growing.
Learn more about working in
Salary Data
Median (with eight years in the field): $62,000
25th to 75th percentile (with eight or more years of experience): $53,100-$77,100
(Data provided by PayScale.com)
Training
Typically, you can land a job with just a bachelor's degree and a one-year internship. If you already have an undergraduate degree in a field other than landscape architecture, the way in is a three-year master's program.
- The Design Research Group, an industry research firm, publishes rankings and profiles of 100 programs.
- The American Society of Landscape Architects publishes a complete list of accredited programs.
Learn More
- Department of Labor profile: Landscape Architect
- American Society of Landscape Architects
- Landscape Architecture (fourth edition) by John Simonds
