Click Here to Return to the Climate Adaptation Career Sector Overview
Rosemary Reed: What is your role with the company and why did you choose to work at Heaviland?
Rajan Brown: Currently I am a Landscape Designer and Construction Manager for Heaviland Enterprises Inc. At Heaviland we specialize in commercial landscape construction and design. I didn’t know initially that I wanted to pursue this field. I completed my Undergraduate degree in Environmental law. My first job out of college was in the financial services sector for Wells Fargo and I quickly learned that I did not enjoy the formal corporate structure of the industry and I began researching new career options.
I started volunteering regularly for the Surf Rider Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's ocean, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network (Surfrider, 2015). I worked with their Plant-not-Pave project removing asphalt and installing bio-filtering materials. I found a lot of enjoyment working outdoors helping to create greener, healthier cities. This volunteer position helped me decide to make a career shift. After discussing career opportunities with a family friend who was a Landscape Architect I embarked on a new career path. I chose Heaviland because of the opportunity it offered to be involved in the construction process from design to implementation and management.
RR: What difference can graduates expect to make by going into Climate Adaptation careers with Heaviland Enterprises?
RB: Landscape design and installation are closely related to Climate Adaptation in the Southern California region due to increasingly variable weather conditions and water supplies. Currently we are removing a lot of water intensive landscape in favor of climate appropriate plant materials.
RR: What would you say to students and young professionals interested in going Landscape Design/Management today? And what career opportunities do you see on the horizon?
RB: Hiring and job availability are extremely dependent on the state of the economy. Someone entering this field should find a volunteer position or internship during school and be open to all opportunities including consulting projects to help establish credibility and gain experience.
RR: What should students study? And are there particular credentials of relevance to employers?
RB: After my Undergraduate work I completed the three year program and received his Masters in Landscape Architecture (MLA) from California Polytechnic, Pomona.
In order to use the title, Landscape Architect, a license is required from the CLARB (Council of Landscape Architecture Board). Licensure is a formal recognition that an individual has demonstrated sufficient knowledge, skill and ability to practice the profession without endangering the health, safety and welfare of the public. Licensure is required in all 50 United States.
I plan on completing the licensing process but for me the more immediate need is a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA). By having a better understanding of financial and managerial accounting it will enable them to make more informed decisions regarding strategic planning.
RR: How does hands-on conservation experience, or experiential learning for students make a difference when hiring?
RB: I prefer hiring employees with hands-on industry experience because they have a better understanding of physical and technical logistics. Conservation experience is an added bonus because it shows that a candidate understands the importance of ecological systems and sustainability. These skills are useful in design, installing and maintaining projects to promote long-term sustainability. Students with conservation experience show that their professional values are conservation oriented and they can better align themselves with companies that share the similar values.
RR: What are the fastest growing product or service lines for Heaviland?
RB: Design/Build drought tolerant landscape renovations.
RR: How might certification as NWF EcoLeaders make a difference to employers?
RB: Certifications help establish credibility and experience in the professional realm. The NWF Ecoleader certification may need additional marketing within the landscape and construction fields because I am not aware of its significance.
RR: Overall, what would you recommend to graduates who want to make a difference for community sustainability?
RR: Do you have any recommendations for who else would be a good source of information on education and employment within Landscape Design?
RB: This career path offers a lot of versatility. “There are a lot of directions you can go. You may choose to focus on ecological systems by working on habitat restoration or environmental mitigation projects. Water agencies in drought prone regions often hire landscape architecture graduates to work in their water conservation divisions. There is also the traditional route with a large firm designing Homeowners Association (HOA) developments, or new construction projects for commercial and institutional clients. This career path is more code oriented and includes designing parks and open spaces to meet City and American with Disabilities Act requirements (ADA, 2015). There is also a large market for residential landscape jobs.”
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Click Here to Return to the Climate Adaptation Career Sector Overview
Interviewee: Rajan Brown
Director of Resource Management
Heaviland Enterprises
Interviewer: Rosemary Reed, NWF Fellow
Rosemary Reed: What is your role with the company and why did you choose to work at Heaviland?
Rajan Brown: Currently I am a Landscape Designer and Construction Manager for Heaviland Enterprises Inc. At Heaviland we specialize in commercial landscape construction and design. I didn’t know initially that I wanted to pursue this field. I completed my Undergraduate degree in Environmental law. My first job out of college was in the financial services sector for Wells Fargo and I quickly learned that I did not enjoy the formal corporate structure of the industry and I began researching new career options.
I started volunteering regularly for the Surf Rider Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's ocean, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network (Surfrider, 2015). I worked with their Plant-not-Pave project removing asphalt and installing bio-filtering materials. I found a lot of enjoyment working outdoors helping to create greener, healthier cities. This volunteer position helped me decide to make a career shift. After discussing career opportunities with a family friend who was a Landscape Architect I embarked on a new career path. I chose Heaviland because of the opportunity it offered to be involved in the construction process from design to implementation and management.
RR: What difference can graduates expect to make by going into Climate Adaptation careers with Heaviland Enterprises?
RB: Landscape design and installation are closely related to Climate Adaptation in the Southern California region due to increasingly variable weather conditions and water supplies. Currently we are removing a lot of water intensive landscape in favor of climate appropriate plant materials.
RR: What would you say to students and young professionals interested in going Landscape Design/Management today? And what career opportunities do you see on the horizon?
RB: Hiring and job availability are extremely dependent on the state of the economy. Someone entering this field should find a volunteer position or internship during school and be open to all opportunities including consulting projects to help establish credibility and gain experience.
RR: What should students study? And are there particular credentials of relevance to employers?
RB: After my Undergraduate work I completed the three year program and received his Masters in Landscape Architecture (MLA) from California Polytechnic, Pomona.
In order to use the title, Landscape Architect, a license is required from the CLARB (Council of Landscape Architecture Board). Licensure is a formal recognition that an individual has demonstrated sufficient knowledge, skill and ability to practice the profession without endangering the health, safety and welfare of the public. Licensure is required in all 50 United States.
I plan on completing the licensing process but for me the more immediate need is a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA). By having a better understanding of financial and managerial accounting it will enable them to make more informed decisions regarding strategic planning.
RR: How does hands-on conservation experience, or experiential learning for students make a difference when hiring?
RB: I prefer hiring employees with hands-on industry experience because they have a better understanding of physical and technical logistics. Conservation experience is an added bonus because it shows that a candidate understands the importance of ecological systems and sustainability. These skills are useful in design, installing and maintaining projects to promote long-term sustainability. Students with conservation experience show that their professional values are conservation oriented and they can better align themselves with companies that share the similar values.
RR: What are the fastest growing product or service lines for Heaviland?
RB: Design/Build drought tolerant landscape renovations.
RR: How might certification as NWF EcoLeaders make a difference to employers?
RB: Certifications help establish credibility and experience in the professional realm. The NWF Ecoleader certification may need additional marketing within the landscape and construction fields because I am not aware of its significance.
RR: Overall, what would you recommend to graduates who want to make a difference for community sustainability?
RB: Get involved in issues/projects that interest you. There are a lot of great environmental sustainability projects going on all around us and many of these projects will gladly accept more help. Internships and volunteering are a great way to get your foot in the door.
My first job environmental job came from a volunteer habitat restoration design position with the California Coastal Commission. The volunteer position was a lot of fun because I got to use all of my educational skills to design and install an entire section of the Newport Back Bay.RR: Do you have any recommendations for who else would be a good source of information on education and employment within Landscape Design?
RB: This career path offers a lot of versatility. “There are a lot of directions you can go. You may choose to focus on ecological systems by working on habitat restoration or environmental mitigation projects. Water agencies in drought prone regions often hire landscape architecture graduates to work in their water conservation divisions. There is also the traditional route with a large firm designing Homeowners Association (HOA) developments, or new construction projects for commercial and institutional clients. This career path is more code oriented and includes designing parks and open spaces to meet City and American with Disabilities Act requirements (ADA, 2015). There is also a large market for residential landscape jobs.”
***
Click Here to Return to the Climate Adaptation Career Sector Overview
Type
Interviews
Sector
Climate Adaptation and Mitigation
Category Career Center Resources
Project Feedback