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