A LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES ON PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND CAREER

Based on the rapid development process and increasing global recognition of the landscape architecture (LA) profession, this study aims to analyze the attitudes of LA students towards their professional education and future careers by identifying key influencing factors.The study specifically investigates how students' perceptions have changed on their education and career by examining their approaches longitudinally over a 12-year period.Data were collected annually through questionnaires administered at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaa, Department of Landscape Architecture.Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the dimensionality and grouping of the questionnaire's statements.Five key factor groups were identified, entitled as "The contribution of LA", "Professional competence and education", "Effects on life", "Improvement of professional qualifications" and "Professional enthusiasm".Correlation analysis was then conducted to examine the relationships between these factors and key student characteristics and reasons for choosing the department, planned working areas and sectors.The findings indicate that job selection was primarily influenced by job-related considerations, and most participants preferred to work in positions connected to LA.The most influential factors shaping students' attitudes were "the contribution of LA" and "professional competence and education".While students expressed a high level of agreement with statements related to societal and personal benefits of LA, their confidence in the sufficiency of their professional education was moderate.These findings highlight the need for a comprehensive enhancement of the landscape architecture curriculum by integrating more applied and technical courses that incorporate practice-oriented content, enhancing career counseling through mentoring programs, and promoting continuous professional development via targeted workshops and internships.In addition, fostering collaboration with sector professionals and refining student recruitment strategies are essential to better align educational experiences with professional practice and ensure that graduates are well-prepared for the demands of the field.