Career Spotlight: Urban Planner

Do you love planning? Are you a good communicator who has a passion for designing? Are interested in geography? If so, then a career as an Urban Planner may be perfect for you.

On the other hand, if you don’t enjoy working directly with the public or developing strategies and thinking creatively, becoming an urban planner may not be a good fit for you.

Urban and regional planners develop plans and programs for the use of land. Their plans help create communities, accommodate population growth, and revitalize physical facilities in towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.Read more at Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Check out American Planning Association to find out more about urban planning.

What do you need to be an Urban Planner?

Education:

A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree (typically in civil engineering) is required to become an urban planner and most planners have a Master’s Degree.

If you are a high school student and would like to become an urban planner, consider taking geography, pre-engineering and economics in high school.

Urban planning may be an option for Engineers and Project Managers interested in a career change. Find out more at Education Portal.

Skills:

Urban Planners know about:

• Complex Problem Solving
• Speaking and Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• CAD Software
• Judgment & Decision Making
• Social Perceptiveness

Is the field growing?

ONET reports that careers in Urban Planning are expected to increase by 10% over the next 10 years.

What is the pay like?

 

What’s the Holland Code* for an Urban Planner?

Interest code: IEA – Investigative, Enterprising, Artistic

Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Artistic — Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

 

Source: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-3051.00

 

If you are interested in learning more about becoming an Urban Planner, check out ONET.

Would you want to be an Urban Planner? Why or why not?

*Holland Codes are a way to classify a person based on their skills and interests as well as jobs based on the nature of the work. If you have an interest in knowing what your Holland Code is in order to match yourself to careers to pursue, you can read more about our assessment process.