Is Urban Planning for me? (map, planner, regional, schools)

[hinher]

Hi. I'm currently entering my junior year in college. I was originally an anthropology major, but have since switched to development sociology. I'm a complete map nerd. I can all day studying city boundaries, different sections of cities, regional demographics, etc. Because of this, regional planning seems like a logical choice for a career move. I go to a university that is ranked as one of the top CRP schools in the country and I am planning on taking a few courses in the subject, if not minoring in it. I would then seek my masters if I'm still interested in the subject.

However, I am slightly apprehensive because people say it is impossible to find a job in CRP. Is this true? How much would the quality of my masters program matter?

Also, I am slightly socially uncomfortable. I have a few friends, and I can talk business pretty fine with strangers, but am terrible at making small talk with strangers. How big of a problem would this be?

Thanks for your insight.

[jobaba]

Originally Posted by hinher

However, I am slightly apprehensive because people say it is impossible to find a job in CRP. Is this true? How much would the quality of my masters program matter?

Also, I am slightly socially uncomfortable. I have a few friends, and I can talk business pretty fine with strangers, but am terrible at making small talk with strangers. How big of a problem would this be?

I'll be honest here and help you out.

MCRP from Rutgers. #3 ranked planning program in the country.

Can you find a job in planning? Yes. Can YOU find a job in planning? Maybe.

Here is the thing about planning. Go onto Monster.com and enter Urban Planner in the Job Search line and see how many jobs you come up with...I counted 8. Nationwide.

Planning students are generally bright people. A lot of the students I went to school with went to planning school instead of pursuing law school or business school. These are the people you are competing with for those 8 jobs.

That is an exaggeration, but there is a lot of competition for not a lot of jobs. If you are passionate about it you may be able to separate yourself from the pack and get a real engrossing job that pays good. The roof of an Urban Planners salary is actually pretty high.

Also. Communication skills are HUGE in planning. You need persuasive skills to be able to sell ideas and yourself. The only classes I earned Bs in during grad school were those that were part of a studio or group setting. In every other traditional class, with tests and projects you completed largely individually, I got an A. Often at the top of the class. How much did that count for? Squat...

Not trying to dissuade you, but it is competitive. Maybe if you're into mapping, but not as socially skilled, consider geography/GIS.

[Hemlock140]

Urban planning was big in the 80s and 90s when there was so much development and growth, especially on the west coast. Since all of that stopped a few years ago many cities/counties have laid off planners and many other related people such as permit technicians and inspectors.
Now that a few small developments are starting to pop up there may be more need but there are plenty of experienced candidates competing with you for every opening.

[Eastern Roamer]

I was looking into the Rutgers program a while back and also love urban planning. I read some "new urbanism" books, and I guess I'm a "map nerd" too. The thing that turned me off about the job prospects was something I read to this effect: The people in charge of planning are the 30 year veterans, and you will have very little discretion over what you create. They don't appreciate creativity; you either march to their beat or you're gone. Projects get designed and built based on technical requirements, funding, the status quo, and/or politics. If you've got dreams of creating the next Portland, Oregon you're in for some disillusionment.

Geography/GIS is a great suggestion. Or major in economics, get a job, and pick up the latest SimCity game.

[hinher]

Are MCRP degrees valuable if I'm iterested in working abroad? Say south/southeast Asia?

[bmd69]

My son-in-law got a great new gig as a Senior Planner in San Diego.