Everyone's journey is different... LDI aims to make it easier
As I reflect on more than 30 years in the landscape industry, I think about the somewhat uncharted path I took. I have no regrets, but I also recognise that I made some things much harder than they needed to be. Even so, it has been a great journey.
How it started...
Inspired by gardens and wanting to create them, I enrolled in the diploma course at Ryde College of Horticulture – now known as TAFE. Four years of part-time study followed – complete with sleepless nights, stressful assignments, and plenty of hard work. Finally, I emerged with a shiny new diploma and a garden business, both arriving at the same time.
At the time, things went well. However, in hindsight, not knowing the correct way to approach certain tasks cost me a considerable amount of time and money, not to mention some average performances as a designer and garden builder.
Then came the second lesson.
My TAFE experience was highly collegiate. We shared both the struggles and the enjoyment of learning throughout those years together. Many, from my cohort went on to succeed in the industry, and from time to time we still cross paths and reflect on our respective journeys.
In those conversations, the advice we shared, along with the guidance we received from more experienced industry professionals, helped us achieve what once seemed impossible. We exchanged stories of failures, lessons learnt, and practical hacks that made success easier to achieve.
The value of good advice and guidance
The old saying that “good advice is gold” is absolutely true.
To have someone pass on hard-earned knowledge that helps you succeed, and receive it for free, is incredibly valuable.
This informal and unstructured mentoring from peers and experienced professionals became one of the greatest contributors to my success and profitability. It helped me achieve many of my goals within the landscape industry.
LDI supporting emerging designers
Today, with a strong desire to pay that forward, and with the support of the highly capable board members of the Landscape Design Institute, it gives me great pleasure to announce the LDI Mentoring Program. I would particularly like to acknowledge the Mentoring Working Group, led by Director Gabriel Harding.
With this initiative, LDI embarks on its first pilot program to actively mentor aspiring designers on their pathway to success. Programs like these are enormously valuable for both our industry and the individual mentees involved. This is one of the finest examples of an industry investing in and supporting its next generation of leaders.
Implementation details to follow… Keep an eye out for how to register your interest, in the July Newsletter.
Warm regards,
Colin Dagger
LDI President