PATHWAY TO PLANNING PROFESSION2012 FALL CONFERENCE
COLUMBUS, GA
SEPTEMBER 27, THURSDAY
GEORGIA PLANNING ASSOCIATION
Pathway to Planning Profession, 2012 Fall Conference
AGENDA
What is the Young Planners Group?
Panel Introduction
Student Participants
Building the Pathway
Q & A
Pathway to Planning Profession, 2012 Fall Conference
Young Planners Group
Provides a forum for networking, learning new skills, and having fun too!
Quarterly newsletters and social meetings
Previous events
Georgia State Water Plan and Water Wars
Historic Fourth Ward Park Tour/Beltline Update
Gulch Tour / MMPT Presentation
Sustainable Planning: What does it mean?, 2010 Spring Conference
Sustainable Affordable Housing – The New Trend, 2011 Fall Conference
WHAT IS THE YPG?
Pathway to Planning Profession, 2012 Fall Conference
PANEL INTRODUCTION
Jamie CochranSenior Vice President of Transportation Planning, Gresham, Smith, and Partners
Rick MorrisPlanning and Community Development Director, River Valley Regional Commission
Bob BeglePrincipal, Urban Collage, Inc.
Dan ReuterLand Use Division Chief, Atlanta Regional Commission
Addie WeberAssociate Urban Designer, AECOM
Pathway to Planning Profession, 2012 Fall Conference
Jamie Cochran
Senior Vice President of Transportation
Planning, Gresham, Smith, and Partners
Areas of Specialization –
Community, regional and statewide
planning
Transportation programs
Program management
Public transit
Transportation finance
Citizen and stakeholder involvement
programs
Pathway to Planning Profession, 2012 Fall Conference
JAMIE’S CAREER PATH
Public Sector
Private Sector
FDOT
FDOT
FDOT
Small Local Firm
BigNat’l Firm
GRTA
Small Local Firm
Own Firm
Mid-size
Regional Firm
+/- 1,000 Years
Teaching at GA Tech
Pathway to Planning Profession, 2012 Fall Conference
Rick Morris
Planning and Community Development
Director, River Valley Regional
Commission
Areas of Specialization –
Comprehensive planning
Historic preservation planning
Transportation planning
Geographic Information Systems
Zoning activities
Pathway to Planning Profession, 2012 Fall Conference
Bob Begle
Urban Designer, Principal,
Urban Collage, Inc.
Areas of Specialization –
Community master planning
Urban Redevelopment Plans
Housing and feasibility studies
Urban design
Architectural design
Pathway to Planning Profession, 2012 Fall Conference
Dan Reuter
Land Use Division Chief,
Atlanta Regional Commission
Areas of Specialization –
Comprehensive Planning
Transportation Planning
Livable Communities
Pathway to Planning Profession, 2012 Fall Conference
Addie Weber
Associate Urban Designer,
AECOM
Areas of Specialization –
Urban design
Transportation
Mentoring young professionals
Pathway to Planning Profession, 2012 Fall Conference
STUDENT PARTICIPANTS
• Nearly 60 students signed up for
the conference
• A brief survey with nine short-
answer questions on SurveyMonkey
• Close to 30 responses from
students of a variety of planning
backgrounds
Pathway to Planning Profession, 2012 Fall Conference
STUDENT PARTICIPANTS
• Planning Specialization*
• Economic Development – 42%
• Urban Design / Landscape Architecture – 35%
• Transportation Planning – 30%
• Community Development – 30%
• Land Use / Zoning – 23%
* Some students have multiple specializations
Pathway to Planning Profession, 2012 Fall Conference
STUDENT PARTICIPANTS
• Planning degree
• Most are graduate students
in planning program
• Some are pursuing dual
degree
• Employment in Planning
• Full time – 7%
• Part time / Internship – 55%
• GRA / TA – 30%
• None – 30%
Pathway to Planning Profession, 2012 Fall Conference
STUDENT PARTICIPANTS
• Preference on Professional Sector
• Public Sector – 78%
• Private Sector SMALL Firm – 63%
• Non-profit organization – 52%
• Private Sector LARGE firm – 45%
Pathway to Planning Profession, 2012 Fall Conference
PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE
• Level of professional guidance in academic environment
LEAST
Interview Tips
Portfolio making
Resume
LITTLE – MODERATE
Presentation Skills
Communication Skills
Networking Skills
Writing skills
Pathway to Planning Profession, 2012 Fall Conference
PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE
• Desired guidance in planning profession
MODERATE
Resume advice
Interview tips
MOST
Planning employment /
career
Communication
Networking
Portfolio making
Interview tips
Resume advice
Pathway to Planning Profession, 2012 Fall Conference
PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE
• Current resources for skill
improvements
• Instructor/Professors
• Internet
• Peer group
• Networking with
professionals
• Networking events
• In person
Pathway to Planning Profession, 2012 Fall Conference
PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE
• Expectations from the session
1. Need help with resume and portfolio
2. How to market skills and professional experience
3. How to build and expand professional relationships with
practitioners
4. How to transition to the work environment – research,
presentations, networking activities
5. How to communicate project ideas concisely to
professionals or future employers
6. What are the non-technical skills needed by planners?
Pathway to Planning Profession, 2012 Fall Conference
NON-TECHNICAL SKILLS/QUALITIES
Personal/Professional Maturity Advocates for Fair
Solutions Willing to “Pay Dues” Good Team Member Has the Team’s Back
Discretion Knows When to Talk/When
to Listen Can Help Mediate Sides Loyal and Reliable
Bias Toward Thoughtful Actions Thinks Before Acting Willing to Make Hard
Decisions Considers Impacts on
Others