Are any of you City/Regional/Urban Planners?

[audball]

I've become interested in either adding a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning as a dual degree with my current Masters (Public Health) or even switching altogether.

Are any of you city planners that can tell me what it's really like to be a planner on a daily basis? The ins and outs, the good, the bad, the ugly? What's great, what's not? Do you have a 'specialty'?

If you aren't a planner, do you know anyone who is? Do they seem happy/satisfied with their jobs?

TIA!

 

[Lurchie]

Hi audball! I work in urban planning and love it! My focus is urban design. The daily ins and outs will be different depending on the job. Work in the public sector will depend on the size of the city or town, of course, and how the agency is set up. Jobs in the private sector might involve working as a consultant on specific projects or working for an architecture firm...I''d be happy to go into more detail about what I do specifically, but I''d rather do that over email if you want to contact Admin and ask for my email.

 

[MsP]

Date: 2/9/2010 10:45:03 AM
Author:audball
I''ve become interested in either adding a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning as a dual degree with my current Masters (Public Health) or even switching altogether.

Are any of you city planners that can tell me what it''s really like to be a planner on a daily basis? The ins and outs, the good, the bad, the ugly? What''s great, what''s not? Do you have a ''specialty''?

If you aren''t a planner, do you know anyone who is? Do they seem happy/satisfied with their jobs?

TIA!

I typed out a nice long response and PS ate it!... ugh...

Anyways, one of my master''s is in urban and regional planning. What *kind* of planning are you interested in? Or what field? Public or private? What is motivating you? The answers to these kinds of questions will have an impact on most of your questions.

In terms of program, there are lots of different types. Some focus on theory and some focus on practical skills. Some are public policy and administration while others are more on technical planning. It is hugely important to match your interests with the school. My program is big on theory and policy analysis. A very "academic" program rather than a practical program. For me, this is more what I wanted. I am pursuing a PhD in another field and don''t intend to be a traditional planner.

 

[Scarabnight]

I'm interested in this too...

 

[audball]

Date: 2/9/2010 1:36:00 PM
Author: Lurchie
Hi audball! I work in urban planning and love it! My focus is urban design. The daily ins and outs will be different depending on the job. Work in the public sector will depend on the size of the city or town, of course, and how the agency is set up. Jobs in the private sector might involve working as a consultant on specific projects or working for an architecture firm...I''d be happy to go into more detail about what I do specifically, but I''d rather do that over email if you want to contact Admin and ask for my email.

Hi Lurchie! Thanks for getting back to me! I''m definitely interested in the details of what you do, I''ll ask admin to get us in touch! Thanks!

 

[audball]

Hi MP! Aww! Thanks for trying to reply, sorry PS ate it! I'm not sure what kind of planning I'd be interested in. I think maybe Environmental Planning or Aviation Planning? I don't know, what are the major difference between public and private? In terms of the program, I'm kind of stuck where I am. There is a big university and they focus more on practical skills, which is good for me, as I have no interest in pursuing a PhD. Anything I should look for specifically?