Undergraduate Degree and Career Prospects

[PlannerMDPANY]

Hello all,

I was wondering if you could provide me some perspective: How much does your undergraduate degree influence your ability to secure a design job after graduation:

Specifically, as someone who graduated with a Liberal Arts degree, will I be able to secure a job in Urban Design following a Masters program in City Planning, provided that I focus on studio courses, build a good portfolio, and try to get an internship with a design focus? Would getting a certificate in urban design be desirable to an employer, on top of the MCP?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

- John

[bdaleray]

Hello all,

I was wondering if you could provide me some perspective: How much does your undergraduate degree influence your ability to secure a design job after graduation:

Specifically, as someone who graduated with a Liberal Arts degree, will I be able to secure a job in Urban Design following a Masters program in City Planning, provided that I focus on studio courses, build a good portfolio, and try to get an internship with a design focus? Would getting a certificate in urban design be desirable to an employer, on top of the MCP?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

- John

What do you mean by "a job in Urban Design" - the physical design of urban spaces? IMHO, you'll have a hard time getting that job unless you have a degree in architecture or landscape architecture. It sucks, but it's pretty much true.

The focus on studio courses, certificate, and design-focused internship will help, but without an accredited design degree (Arch or LArch) you'd have a hard time getting licensed, which is pretty important for advancement.

That's not to say it won't happen, but it's pretty hard.

YMMV.

[PlannerMDPANY]

Thanks for the advice.

I guess I should clarify a bit - I am not looking to specifically design a plot of land or a building, but more interested in thinking about how an overall place should look (ie. urban furniture, wayfinding, bike-paths, landscaping guidelines etc.) Is writing urban design guidelines a way to accomplish this?

I really appreciate your help - I'm trying to find my way and forge my future path for a future career!