Five bits of free advice for new planning students

In his book What Your Planning Professor Forgot to Tell You, Paul Zucker , FAICP offers practical advice for new professional planners. Reading it inspired me to reflect on the experiences that have helped me to be successful in this field, both before and after receiving my degree.

I’d like to offer some “words of wisdom” to new urban and regional planning students, which are based upon my experience and the collective wisdom of the many professional planners and others I’ve come into contact with since I started down this career path:

1. Seek out internship experiences.

Seek out a variety of internship opportunities during your college years. Working as an intern for local government is great experience, but also seek out other opportunities, including unpaid or short-term positions with real estate developers, rural communities, or small towns.

If necessary, create a position for yourself. Attend local planning commission and city council/township board meetings, and listen for opportunities to assist them with a special project. Arrange for an appointment with the mayor, city manager, supervisor, etc. to discuss their needs, and how you can help (be ready with your ideas!).

Make use of your college’s alumni network – there are likely to be hundreds of planning grads working in a wide variety of public and private sector organizations that would be willing to help you get your foot in the door.

Each “real world” experience on your resume makes you that much more employable after graduation.

2. Write a research paper.

The ability to communicate in writing is vital to your future success as a community planner. Research and write a paper of publishable quality on a planning-related topic, whether it’s required for your degree or not. A concise and well-written paper can become a valuable part of your portfolio of materials to present to prospective employers.

If you’re weak in a particular area (zoning, environmental analysis, economic development, historic preservation, etc.), researching, writing and consulting with a faculty advisor on the topic is a guaranteed way to become an “expert.”

FYI – Planning publications like Planning Commissioners Journal, Planning and Zoning News, your state APA chapter’s newsletter or magazine, and our own Building Place Notebook are always on the lookout for good material. Nothing adds professional credibility faster than being able to include “published author” on your resume.

3. Network.

Attend and volunteer at the annual conference held by your state chapter of the American Planning Association (APA). If possible, attend the national APA conference (unfortunately, the timing of this conference always seems to coincide with final exam week!). Take advantage of these and other conferences and educational workshops as a student. Often student rates are deeply discounted, and networking opportunities are numerous, if you seek them out.

It’s likely that many alumni of your college’s planning program attend these conferences. Find out who they are, learn about what they’re interested in, and seek out opportunities at conferences to talk with them.

4. Craft your Internet presence.

These days, virtually all employers are checking you out in the virtual world before deciding to meet with you in the real world. What a Google search says about you might be as important as what’s on your resume. Be careful what you post in a blog, MySpace, Facebook, or elsewhere, because nothing you upload or post is ever truly deleted off the Internet.

Also, a picture is worth…(well, you know), so think carefully before posting (or letting a friend post) that picture of yourself doing something really stupid. Also, if you don’t know what ‘sexting’ is, good for you. If you do know, Don’t Do It!

Whether or not you have some less than flattering links online, there are always ways to improve your professional Internet presence. One of my favorites is LinkedIn.com. LinkedIn is a professional networking website, where you can create a detailed resume, connect with other professionals you know, and interact with people far and wide with common interests through LinkedIn Groups.

If you are seeking to craft your Internet presence, LinkedIn has the added benefit of showing up as a top search item on any Google search of your name. I always include a “link” to my LinkedIn profile on my resume, so that employers can easily find out more about my background, strengths, and who has recommended me.

5. Experience life.

If you have the means, take a month, a semester, a summer, or a year “off” to:

Tour Italy, Scotland, or Australia.
Work on a special project in London, England or London, Ontario (Canada).
Assist with a community improvement project in Ghana or American Samoa.
Participate in a habitat restoration project in Washington state.
Assist with a historic preservation project in Gettysburg, PA.
Volunteer with a summer recreation program for children in Toledo, OH.
Become a volunteer aide at a senior center in Ypsilanti, MI.
Volunteer for a neighborhood rebuilding project in New Orleans, LA.
Go on a mission for your church.
Learn a foreign language.
Etc., etc., etc.

In other words…

Wherever you can, choose to expand your understanding of the world (people, places, markets, cultures, the environment, etc.) and your chosen profession. Your experience will look good on a resume, and may influence the direction of your life and career for years to come.

© 2009 Building Place – Rodney C. Nanney, AICP (www.buildingplace.net) – All rights reserved. Contact us here for information regarding reprinting, redistribution, or other use of this material. Excerpts may be quoted with proper attribution and a link to this website.

About the Author

As the principal planner and Zoning Guru for Building Place Consultants, Rodney C. Nanney, AICP is an innovative provider of solutions to community planning, zoning, and local economic development challenges. Mr. Nanney is a recognized zoning expert and the creator of the Place Zoning model for mixed-use neighborhoods and walkable communities.

An accomplished writer and public speaker, he also has the all-to-rare gift among planners of being able to effectively communicate planning and zoning concepts in plain language. He has spoken before audiences large and small, and as diverse as church groups, college students, elected officials, and elementary-age children.