Greetings from the Inter-Mountain West

[Follow the $$]

I am an economic development planner for a Council of Governments in the IM West. I entered planning the long way around after many years in state and local government working in community and economic development, housing and energy efficiency programs. I discovered that I really like planning mainly because it is so interdisciplinary. I decided to research educational programs in land use planning which has led to many discoveries. For instance, I have discovered that I am eligible to take a test to obtain AICP certification. Hmm. I am now happily reading all about synoptic planning (isn't that the kind that puts you to sleep?), GAM and gant charts and such.

I also have enrolled in the UC Davis Extension Certificate program in Land Use & Environmental planning. This program suits me very well for a number of reasons and both the curriculum and instructors are top notch. But, I am curious as to the professions few of a "Planning Certificate". Does anyone out there have one? Have you hired a person with one? Know anyone with one? I'm looking forward to joining the fray. $$

[Chet]

Welcome and thanks for registering!

My firm has a few folks with planning certificates. We find them helpful especially for our civil engineers that sit on a client's local planning commissions. I'm sure you will find it helpful and rewarding.

Oh.... and gant charts..... zzzzzzzzzzz

[JNA]

Welcome from a previous IM West resident (really a student, later a ski bum, then a student again)

[munibulldog]

Inter mountain west, is that between the west slope and plains? Vail, etc?

You definitely need some qualifications to break into the field. To survive, you will need sharp claws, sharp teeth, and calloused knuckles. Plus a lot of patience, forebearing and compassion for the common man.

Welcome to the board!

[Richmond Jake]

....[snip]... UC Davis Extension Certificate program in Land Use & Environmental planning. ...[snip]...

Welcome from the Florida panhandle. And, BTW, be sure to ask Dr. Jeff L. about his flameout in Santa Cruz County... Boo Waaa HaaaaHaaaHaaaa.....

[SkeLeton]

Welcome to the boards! Hope you find this site interesting and fun enough to stick around
Cheers!

[Cardinal]

Welcome, from an economic developer on the Front Range.

[Follow the $$]

Welcome, from an economic developer on the Front Range.

I enjoy all the helpful info. I must say you folks are a bit negative when it comes to discussing jobs, though. Are you all located in cities with University planning programs? I have a definite advantage in living in one of the forgotten states as there is more job availability. Also it snowed last night and so I am going skiing all weekend.

[SGB]

Welcome, from the Adirondack foothills of New York.

We're not always negative about our jobs. Just most of the time.

[Michele Zone]

Welcome from a stone's throw from the West Coast...I mean, a figurative stone's throw from the Pacific Ocean...aww, heck. Just call it "hi from California".

[Gedunker]

Welcome from the mountainous part of the Hoosier state.

We're not always griping about our jobs: sometimes we gripe about other people's jobs.

[Cardinal]

I enjoy all the helpful info. I must say you folks are a bit negative when it comes to discussing jobs, though. Are you all located in cities with University planning programs? I have a definite advantage in living in one of the forgotten states as there is more job availability. Also it snowed last night and so I am going skiing all weekend.

Do you mean negative about the jobs we have, negative about the availability of jobs? I have enjoyed most of the work I have done. On the other hand, it can be very difficult to find the right job. This is especially true for people who do not want to move around much.

[kc_roo]

Welcome from the best city in Missouri, Kansas City that is.

[NHPlanner]

welcome

[Follow the $$]

Do you mean negative about the jobs we have, negative about the availability of jobs? I have enjoyed most of the work I have done. On the other hand, it can be very difficult to find the right job. This is especially true for people who do not want to move around much.

I actually was referring to negative references about job availability rather than being negative about your own jobs. Your love and interest in the planning field comes through pretty clearly with just those little happy gripes. You might be a little more encouraging to newcomers in the planning arena, though. From my perspective there seems to be a lot of planning jobs out there. Are they perfect jobs? Well, I've actually had two very close to perfect jobs in my career. In one I was a statewide program manager in a field I enjoyed very much. Then.... I was part of a three dept./three agency merger. Boy, was that a mess! And now I have a job I like very much with a lot of flexibility, decision making authority and very visual accomplishments. But...(isn't there always a but), our dept. budget took a big hit last year, our benefits were cut, leadership has changed...

[pete-rock]

Welcome from the place where the Great Lakes meets the prairies -- Chicago!

[PlannerGirl]

Welcome from the Washington DC metro area.

[Suburb Repairman]

Greetings from the state where winter only comes from two weeks to mock us (south-central Texas). Seriously, my forecast high today is the high 70s with dew points in the upper 60s.

I think if you really ask us, most of us are at least content at our jobs, not jump-up-and-down happy, but content. A lot of us use this site as a place to anonymously rant about our cities, which might be why you're getting that vibe from us. Also, a few of us have recently gone through some very bad job situations. Those are isolated incidents for the most part.

It's tough to find the "right"job, especially in a profession where one local election can completely shift the attitude of the city.

[Trail Nazi]

Welcome from one regionaler to another regional planner type! What is this snow you speak of? Anyway, welcome. You can always look into public administration degrees for additional education rather than a certificate in planning since some of the PA degree programs offer it as well.