CREDITS:

ABSTRACT

Planning is one of the most interdisciplinary and impactful professions, yet many students and emerging professionals have limited exposure to the wide range of career paths available within the field. This interactive session uses a “speed internship” format to connect participants with practicing planners from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Through a series of structured conversations, attendees will gain firsthand insight into the diverse roles planners play in addressing today’s most pressing challenges, including climate resilience, housing, mobility, economic development, environmental justice, public health, and natural resource conservation. Attendees will leave with a broader understanding of the planning profession, practical strategies for transitioning from education to practice, and valuable connections to mentors and future employers.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

1. Identify and compare career opportunities within the public, private, and nonprofit planning sectors, including the skills, responsibilities, and professional pathways associated with each.
2. Recognize how personal interests, values, and strengths can influence career decisions and help planners find meaningful areas of specialization within the profession.
3. Describe the interdisciplinary nature of planning practice and the role collaboration plays in addressing complex challenges related to housing, transportation, climate resilience, economic development, public health, and environmental justice.