Hey guys! Today I'm happy to introduce you to a career I had never even heard of before: landscape architect. Jill Brown, of Brown, green, & more, is a landscape architect with her own company. I'll let her tell you more about it now.

As a child, I wanted to be a Landscape architect when I grew up.

How close (or far) is your current career from that dream? It’s right on.

What is your official job title? Landscape Architect, Sustainability/Permaculture Consultant but I usually go by Your Landscape Coach.

Ok, now what does that really mean? I do online and in person Landscape design for homeowners. I help others create their ideal landscape. So they can entertain their friends, relax in their garden, grown their own food, play with their kids, and build relationships with their neighbors.

See a few of Jill's designs below!

What is a typical day like? I've got 3 kiddos so no day is typical but I'm usually at my desk by nine am. At this point I have 2 hours before I have to pick up my 4 year old from his half-day Pre K program. Those two hours are usually spent in client meetings or at my desk designing. I spend the afternoon answering emails and writing for report work or my blog. Three-thirty comes too soon and it is off to pick up kiddos, run any errands, make dinner, and put kiddos in bed. I spend a few hours a night responding and updating social media, and working on AutoCadd/Photoshop design work. The last thing I do at night is prepare for the next day.

How did you end up in this career? One of my first school science projects was on composting, in high school I spent my winter breaks tying Christmas trees together for use in gulf coast restoration, and in college I took an interest in land art in my free time. I’ve always been intrigued by how people work with the environment; it’s why I became a Landscape Architect. It’s intertwined into all I do. At home I’m raising three creative and energetic boys in our solar powered home with our small vegetable garden, and native landscape watered by our rain water and grey water collection systems. Sustainable design, it’s just how I think. It also helps that I was exposed to the profession from an early age through my father who just retired after 30 years in the profession.

What kind of education or training did you complete for this career? Bachelors of Landscape Architecture (BLA) at Louisiana State University, LA license in the State of NM, LEED certified professional, Permaculture certification, 15 years’ experience and a lifetime of exposure from my father.

What advice would you give to someone who wants a similar career?It’s the perfect career for someone who loves the outdoors. Spent time exploring the natural world, the people and how we interact with it. I truly feel the Permaculture design motto sums it up, “care of the earth and its people.” If that’s important to you then Landscape Architecture will be a good fit.

Do you have any other career dreams? What do you want to be when you grow up? I’m 100% happy with my career. More importantly I enjoy being a business owner. My dreams are to create products and services to help those struggling with their yards be able to confidently design something they enjoy spending time in.

Any last thoughts or encouragement for others trying to decide what they want to do "when they grow up"? It's super important to just love what you do and to take action to make your goals come true.

You can find Jill over at yourlandscapecoach.com blogging about Living Outdoors, Sustainable Design, Places to Play and Building Community. She helps you create your ideal landscape.

Thanks again for being a part of this series, Jill! I loved learning about Landscape Architecture :)

sst – if you have been reading this When I Grow Up series and feel utterly confused about what you really want to be doing with your life, check out the StrengthsFinder 2.0 book. I’ve been working my way through the results for the past week and it has been a huge help. I’ve got some plans for it down the road, but if you want to be in on the ground floor, check it out! And check out some of the older careers posts in the When I Grow Up series while you're here.

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