Last updated on Jul 22, 2024

Here's how you can guide and empower younger professionals in landscaping to prevent burnout.

Navigating the early years of a career in landscape architecture can be as challenging as it is exciting. You're constantly learning and growing, but the risk of burnout is real. Burnout, a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress, can quench the enthusiasm of even the most passionate young professionals. Understanding how to guide and empower them is crucial to maintaining their health, happiness, and productivity in this creative field. Let's explore strategies to foster resilience and a sustainable work-life balance for those shaping our environment's future.

1 Mentorship Matters

Mentorship is a key element in nurturing the next generation of landscape architects. By pairing up-and-coming professionals with experienced mentors, you provide them with a support system that can guide them through the complexities of the job. Mentors can share wisdom on managing projects, dealing with clients, and balancing work with personal life. This relationship not only helps to prevent burnout but also accelerates professional growth by offering insights that only come from years of experience.

Add your perspective

Jonathan Misrahi, PLA, ASLA

Professional Landscape Architect | President NJASLA
Report contribution
A great way to meet mentors is through professional organizations like ASLA. Start with a portfolio review event, for example. You'll get exposure to several professionals and you will be able to determine if you want to approach one of the professionals for ongoing guidance and mentorship. Chances are, if the professional is attending an event geared towards emerging professionals, they may be interested in mentoring as well.

Like

2 Healthy Habits

Encouraging young landscape architects to adopt healthy habits is vital for burnout prevention. This means advocating for a balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep, which are all essential for maintaining high energy levels and mental clarity. Additionally, promoting time management techniques can help them handle the demands of their workload more effectively. By prioritizing tasks and setting realistic deadlines, they can avoid the stress that often leads to burnout.

Add your perspective

Jonathan Misrahi, PLA, ASLA

Professional Landscape Architect | President NJASLA
Report contribution
Setting honest limits with yourself in regards to screen time, overtime, and desk breaks are simple ways you can combat burnout as an emerging professional. Talk with someone more experienced about lessons they learned (sometimes the hard way) about setting these limits and creating balance in their lives.

Like

3 Continuous Learning

In the fast-evolving field of landscape architecture, continuous learning is non-negotiable. Encourage young professionals to keep up with new design trends, sustainability practices, and technological advancements. This not only prevents stagnation but also keeps their work exciting and engaging. Provide opportunities for them to attend workshops, webinars, and conferences. Staying educated and informed can be a buffer against the monotony that sometimes contributes to burnout.

Add your perspective

Jonathan Misrahi, PLA, ASLA

Professional Landscape Architect | President NJASLA
Report contribution
Learning doesn't stop once you get your degree or license. If you are mentoring an emerging professional, provide them readings that have helped you advance your knowledge in your career or ancillary learning material that supports their career growth like business topics.

Like

4 Work-Life Balance

Promoting a healthy work-life balance is crucial in preventing burnout among young landscape architects. Encourage them to set clear boundaries between work and personal time. This might include setting specific work hours, taking regular breaks during the day, and ensuring they take their full annual leave. Help them understand that downtime is not wasted time but rather an investment in their long-term productivity and creativity.

Add your perspective

Megan Wollerton

Owner @ Life Force Wellness | Health Coaching, Wellness Consulting, Keynote Speaking
Report contribution
Teach that balance is different for everyone. We go through phases where we may enjoy working more and phases when we want more family time. Mentor and teach that it is ok to set boundaries and recognize those shifts. Teach that life balance is a mentality and teach the signs of high stress and burnout so that they can self-assess and recognize the need to step back or reset. There is no one size fits all solution to life balance so it is important to self assess and be aware of the dangers of stress and burnout.

Like

5 Team Dynamics

Fostering positive team dynamics can greatly impact a young professional's work experience. Encourage open communication, collaboration, and mutual support within the team. When individuals feel valued and supported by their colleagues, they are less likely to experience the isolation that can lead to burnout. Team-building activities and regular check-ins can strengthen relationships and provide a forum for addressing any concerns before they escalate.

Add your perspective

6 Personal Projects

Lastly, encouraging young landscape architects to pursue personal projects can provide an outlet for their creativity outside of client-driven work. These projects can be a source of personal satisfaction and professional development, as they allow for experimentation without the constraints typically found in commercial work. Personal projects can rekindle the passion that drew them to landscape architecture in the first place and serve as a reminder of why they chose this career path.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Here's how you can guide and empower younger professionals in landscaping to prevent burnout.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Mentorship Matters

2 Healthy Habits

3 Continuous Learning

4 Work-Life Balance

5 Team Dynamics

6 Personal Projects

7 Here’s what else to consider

Landscape Architecture

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Landscape Architecture

More relevant reading

Here's how you can guide and empower younger professionals in landscaping to prevent burnout.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Mentorship Matters

2 Healthy Habits

3 Continuous Learning

4 Work-Life Balance

5 Team Dynamics

6 Personal Projects

7 Here’s what else to consider

Landscape Architecture

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills