Contact: Maridith Geuder
Irrigation techniques, site construction and surveying are among landscape contracting components to be tested this week during a national conference at Mississippi State University.
More than 900 landscape architecture and contracting majors from more than 40 universities and colleges throughout the country arrive Thursday [March 9] on the Starkville campus for Student Career Days 2000. Sponsored annually by the Association of Landscape Contractors of America, the four-day event also will draw faculty members and industry representatives.
Hosted by MSU's landscape architecture department, the conference mixes field and academic competitions with job interviews and major opportunities for career networking.
"This event is an effort to help prepare the future leaders of the profession," said James H. Perry, Career Days coordinator. First held on the MSU campus 25 years ago, the event last visited Starkville in 1985, the landscape architecture professor added.
Mississippi State was the first university in the nation to offer a four-year bachelor's degree in landscape construction and management. Perry said the MSU-designed curriculum was adopted by the profession as a model for other schools to use.
Among other competitive events this year are weed and turf identification, interior plant identification, safety management, cost estimation, and exterior landscape design.
"This is a premier event for students in this field," Perry said, noting that more than 100 companies will be on hand to interview students for employment and internships.
Industry representatives serve as judges for competitions designed in cooperation with faculty members. Industries represented include Environmental Industries Inc., Tru-Green LandCare, Toro Co., Husqvarna Outdoor Products, Bartlett Tree Experts, Brickman Group, Hunter Irrigation, Paved Stone Inc., Rain Bird Irrigation, and Post Properties Inc.