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 PartnersAreas 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 CommissionAreas 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 CommissionAreas of Specialization –

Comprehensive Planning Transportation Planning Livable Communities

Pathway to Planning Profession, 2012 Fall Conference

Addie Weber

Associate Urban Designer, AECOMAreas 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

LEASTInterview Tips

Portfolio makingResume

LITTLE – MODERATE Presentation Skills

Communication SkillsNetworking Skills

Writing skills

Pathway to Planning Profession, 2012 Fall Conference

PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE

• Desired guidance in planning profession

MODERATEResume adviceInterview tips

MOSTPlanning employment /

careerCommunication

NetworkingPortfolio making

Interview tipsResume 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 session1. Need help with resume and portfolio2. How to market skills and professional experience3. How to build and expand professional relationships with

practitioners4. How to transition to the work environment – research,

presentations, networking activities 5. How to communicate project ideas concisely to

professionals or future employers6. 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