Question about beginning my planning career

[Quoven]

I am currently pursuing a BA degree in environmental studies with a minor in applied design. When all things are said and done, my degree will focus on sustainable community development, and the applied design minor will have given me a background in GIS, Drafting, CADD, and Landscape design.

Recently, I read a text book on contemporary urban planning and was fascinated. I am pretty sure that I want to pursue a career in the area. I think I have my heart set on getting a masters in urban planning/urban design.

Here are my questions: It seems like getting an internship is a must. Since my environmental studies degree is not all that related to Urban Planning/Design, is it realistic to think I could land an undergraduate internship in the urban planning/design field, or should I wait until graduate school? Also, will my environmental studies degree prepare me adequately for graduate school? Finally, I am searching for an internship this summer. If it is unrealistic to expect to get an internship in the planning field, where should I try to get an internship that will help me in the planning field later on that is attainable? Thank you.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I need a little reassurance about my current career path at the moment.

[wv06]

I am currently pursuing a BA degree in environmental studies with a minor in applied design. When all things are said and done, my degree will focus on sustainable community development, and the applied design minor will have given me a background in GIS, Drafting, CADD, and Landscape design.

Recently, I read a text book on contemporary urban planning and was fascinated. I am pretty sure that I want to pursue a career in the area. I think I have my heart set on getting a masters in urban planning/urban design.

Here are my questions: It seems like getting an internship is a must. Since my environmental studies degree is not all that related to Urban Planning/Design, is it realistic to think I could land an undergraduate internship in the urban planning/design field, or should I wait until graduate school? Also, will my environmental studies degree prepare me adequately for graduate school? Finally, I am searching for an internship this summer. If it is unrealistic to expect to get an internship in the planning field, where should I try to get an internship that will help me in the planning field later on that is attainable? Thank you.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I need a little reassurance about my current career path at the moment.

Many Planners have environmental studies degrees, so yes you could still obtain a internship. It is definitely a must even as a undergrad IMO. If you have trouble getting in the door, offer your time as a unpaid volunteer to gain experience.

Check out the many past threads on obtaining internships for references..

[Clore]

I would say that with your GIS, CAD and Landscape design knowledge, that you would be an asset to a Main Street or Elm Street program. That would fit nicely with your urban focus. Is there a Heritage Corridor in your area? I would start there. If no luck there, try the county planning commission. If no luck there, troll this site for users in your area and see if they can squeeze you into a desk in their office!

I was finishing my bio degree when I discovered planning. I switched to Public Admin and worked with that and have been successful with jobs so far, even in a rural area.

Good luck!

[Quoven]

Thanks for the comments. There is a heritage corridor nearby, so I will definitely go bother them shortly to try to volunteer.

Right now I have only taken the drafting courses. My landscape design and GIS courses all come in my senior year, but it is good to know they will be an asset even if they will not help with my internship search so much this summer.

Does anyone have any advice for how best to volunteer with relatively little background skills/knowledge to offer? Thank you very much, everyone here is extremely helpful.

P.S. if anyone out there in the planning/design field reading this is in the Burlington, VT area and needs some free help with their workload or anything at all, please let me know. I would be more than happy to volunteer