I want to be an urban planner, most likely for a municipality. However, very few schools that I have seen offer an actual major in Planning. Is majoring in Geography with an emphasis in Urban/Economic Geogrpahy acceptable to get a planning job? Also, is it better to get your masters immediately after your bachelor's...Or is it better to get a job before going back for your Master's?
"Life's a journey, not a destination"
-Steven Tyler
I had the same decision to make, but at the master's level. I did a year of classes in geography with the intention of going on for a PhD. Then I realized there was no way I wanted to be in academia that long. And I discovered that planning was a field that combined what I was interested in with a paycheck and readily available jobs.
The professors at that school tried to convince me to stay, saying I could still get a planning job with a geography degree. I decided to transfer, though, and do an actual planning degree (non-accredited school - also not a big deal). For me, the extra year was worth it, because I really knew nothing about the field of planning. I also had three internships during that time.
I think, however, that you would be able to get a job doing what you're suggesting. I think the key would be to do a lot of reading on planning and keep up with what's going on in the field. And what would be most helpful is to try to set up some internships. They're great experience - even if you don't actually do much yourself, it's helpful just to be around a planning office or city government to see how things work. In two of my internships, they offered to hire me when I was done. And you can always get a master's in planning later.
I did the Geography major thing and I am working as a planner now. My key was a planning internship.
Or you could just major in Partying Down!!!
(Sorry the ZMan has officially "checked out" at 1:30 pm MDT)
You get all squeezed up inside/Like the days were carved in stone/You get all wired up inside/And it's bad to be alone
You can go out, you can take a ride/And when you get out on your own/You get all smoothed out inside/And it's good to be alone
-Peart
I graduated undergrad 2004 with a bachelor's in urban planning, now i'm a 1st year grad student working towards a masters in (urban) geography. i love it, and so far i haven't had any indication through internship interviews and acceptances that a geography degree will hold me back from employment in the planning field. i've gotten some questions about "why geography" but if you can justify your decision you should be good to go.
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