I have been offered a job!

[AG74683]

I graduated in December 2011 with a undergrad degree's in Community and Regional Planning as well as GIS.

Been on a few interviews, most recent was 2 months ago. Yesterday I received a call about the most recent interview and was offered the position today. Yesterday was the first contact I had received from them since the interview, so I am not sure if the delay is typical or not? It doesn't seem like they extended the position to anyone else since the interview though.

Anyways, I am a little hesitant because it is for County Planner, as in, the ONLY county planner. My real world planning experience is limited to a 3 month internship. I would be responsible for everything, including code enforcement, site plan review, grants, etc. I am a little worried that I am in over my head just a bit. I suppose that if I was extended the offer, they feel that I will be a good fit though. The county is rural and the population is below 30k. There is county wide zoning, but 99% of it is purely residential.

I wanted to get some opinions from a few more experienced planners and see what you guys think. Thanks!

[stroskey]

Sometimes the unpleasant thing like code enforcement give you a lot of experience in working with various people. Also, being the only planner you will learn about various aspects of government a lot more than a planner that is pigeon-holed doing one thing, like GIS. If you don't mind, what does the gig pay? I ask because you need a job but don't want to be stuck starting in a super-low wage as that will have long-lasting effects on your salaries when you move up.

[AG74683]

Don't want to put out a number, but its comfortable. It's more than what I believed I would get at an entry level job.

[Raf]

I graduated in December 2011 with a undergrad degree's in Community and Regional Planning as well as GIS.

Been on a few interviews, most recent was 2 months ago. Yesterday I received a call about the most recent interview and was offered the position today. Yesterday was the first contact I had received from them since the interview, so I am not sure if the delay is typical or not? It doesn't seem like they extended the position to anyone else since the interview though.

Anyways, I am a little hesitant because it is for County Planner, as in, the ONLY county planner. My real world planning experience is limited to a 3 month internship. I would be responsible for everything, including code enforcement, site plan review, grants, etc. I am a little worried that I am in over my head just a bit. I suppose that if I was extended the offer, they feel that I will be a good fit though. The county is rural and the population is below 30k. There is county wide zoning, but 99% of it is purely residential.

I wanted to get some opinions from a few more experienced planners and see what you guys think. Thanks!

Take it if you want a start in planning. You aren't married with them. Get your knowledge, sacrifice 2-3 years than start looking for the better. If you pass this up, the no one can tell you when your next offer might be.

[Hink]

I graduated in December 2011 with a undergrad degree's in Community and Regional Planning as well as GIS.

Been on a few interviews, most recent was 2 months ago. Yesterday I received a call about the most recent interview and was offered the position today. Yesterday was the first contact I had received from them since the interview, so I am not sure if the delay is typical or not? It doesn't seem like they extended the position to anyone else since the interview though.

Anyways, I am a little hesitant because it is for County Planner, as in, the ONLY county planner. My real world planning experience is limited to a 3 month internship. I would be responsible for everything, including code enforcement, site plan review, grants, etc. I am a little worried that I am in over my head just a bit. I suppose that if I was extended the offer, they feel that I will be a good fit though. The county is rural and the population is below 30k. There is county wide zoning, but 99% of it is purely residential.

I wanted to get some opinions from a few more experienced planners and see what you guys think. Thanks!

In this economy.... take the job. If they believe you can do it... you can do it. Learn on the job and take advantage of all the opportunities that it presents for you.

Congrats!

[btrage]

Take the job! Sometimes experience doesn't trump everything else.

You'll learn lots and it will open doors down the road.

Plus, when you're in a pinch or need advice, you can always come to Cyburbia and we'll help you through it.

[Suburb Repairman]

Take it. You know more than you realize. And I encourage planners to do a little time in code enforcement--it gives you better perspective when writing policies. You'll be drinking from the fire hose, but you'll be fine. My first job was like that, and I believe it was a big reason for my accelerated career advancement. My advice: get to be friends with the planners in nearby jurisdictions and maybe see if one of them can serve as a bit of a mentor.

[Whose Yur Planner]

Take the job. Look at this way, you got offered a planning job in this economy. There are those who would give body parts for this opportunity. My first PD job was in a small place in BFE. I learned a lot about planning in an environment where there wasn't a whole lot of pressure. This experience paid off in spades later on and provided excellent resume fodder.

[luckless pedestrian]

go for it - you can start a thread in here just to get advice on a daily basis from the throbbing county planners in here - I am a trench planner at the local level so I will be the one making fun of you

but seriously - do it

[Tide]

Good Luck! I assume you will be in NC? There are already a hand full of us on this forum that could be helpful to you. Myself, Beach_bum, and Planit among other lurkers.

[Planit]

Congrats! Give me a shout if you have any questions.

[OfficialPlanner]

Take it! and congrats!

[Trail Nazi]

Take the job! You'll do great!

[mike gurnee]

Good Luck! I assume you will be in NC? There are already a hand full of us on this forum that could be helpful to you. Myself, Beach_bum, and Planit among other lurkers.

You have a ready-made support group. And, if in NC, get to know the folks with the Institute of Government. Without them I could not have survived my eight years in the tarheel state.

[AG74683]

Good Luck! I assume you will be in NC? There are already a hand full of us on this forum that could be helpful to you. Myself, Beach_bum, and Planit among other lurkers.

Yes, job is in NC. Thanks for the support everyone!

[Linda_D]

Take the job and congrats!

[Tide]

You have a ready-made support group. And, if in NC, get to know the folks with the Institute of Government. Without them I could not have survived my eight years in the tarheel state.

I don't know if that's been renamed the School of Government (through UNC) but they are awesome - and join the NC Planning ListServe as soon as possible, tons of similar topics being discussed by planners around the state and their solutions.

[ColoGI]

This should be a no-brainer. Why are you asking us if you should accept a job offer?

[dw914er]

Take it. You know more than you realize. And I encourage planners to do a little time in code enforcement--it gives you better perspective when writing policies. You'll be drinking from the fire hose, but you'll be fine. My first job was like that, and I believe it was a big reason for my accelerated career advancement. My advice: get to be friends with the planners in nearby jurisdictions and maybe see if one of them can serve as a bit of a mentor.

Take the job, and I recommend SR's advice as well. Goodluck and congrats! Many young hopefuls would be excited to be in your place.

[rcgplanner]

Jumping in late... but take the job! Congrats and Cyburbia is a great resource if you need to vent or need some help on a tough planning issue. As others have said there are quite a few NC Cyburbians. If they think you can do it, you can do it. It may be tough at times but you will have an awesome resume for later on down the road.

Also take a look at old staff reports, etc. when you start. It should give you a good idea of what you will be dealing with. Congrats and good luck!

[beach_bum]

Yes, job is in NC. Thanks for the support everyone!

CONGRATS! North Carolina is a growing state, there are opportunites to move around and up with a little experience. Make sure to subscribe to the NC Plan list serve and come out to chapter and regional events, we are an involved bunch here!

[Jazzman]

I graduated in December 2011 with a undergrad degree's in Community and Regional Planning as well as GIS.

Been on a few interviews, most recent was 2 months ago. Yesterday I received a call about the most recent interview and was offered the position today. Yesterday was the first contact I had received from them since the interview, so I am not sure if the delay is typical or not? It doesn't seem like they extended the position to anyone else since the interview though.

Anyways, I am a little hesitant because it is for County Planner, as in, the ONLY county planner. My real world planning experience is limited to a 3 month internship. I would be responsible for everything, including code enforcement, site plan review, grants, etc. I am a little worried that I am in over my head just a bit. I suppose that if I was extended the offer, they feel that I will be a good fit though. The county is rural and the population is below 30k. There is county wide zoning, but 99% of it is purely residential.

I wanted to get some opinions from a few more experienced planners and see what you guys think. Thanks!

Are you kidding me? Take it. There are plenty of people who have Master's degrees and a lot more than just a single 3 month long internship who can't find work anywhere.

[HomerJ]

Anyways, I am a little hesitant because it is for County Planner, as in, the ONLY county planner. My real world planning experience is limited to a 3 month internship. I would be responsible for everything, including code enforcement, site plan review, grants, etc. I am a little worried that I am in over my head just a bit.

That is exactly what is going to make the job valuable for you down the road. Believe me, if you are young and trying to prove your worth, be happy you have a job that sounds tough. It's probably going to thicken your skin and give you a crash course on the realities of the profession (and there are a lot of people in planning positions right now who could use a little experience doing something like code enforcement). Just remember, with planning experience is the key to being taken seriously as a professional, so the first couple years are tough for everyone. As others have already indicated, find people with experience and reach out when you think you are in over your head.

Oh, and congrats! Go celebrate!

[AG74683]

Thanks again guys!

However, I am in a bit of a bind now, and could use some more advice! They want an answer on Monday. The start date is about 2 and a half weeks from now. Problem is I cannot find anywhere to live. There are no real apartment complex's (all of them are senior living). The rental home market is non-existent besides homes designed for vacation rentals (not long term), or the rents are sky high (1,200+). I am not in a financial position to stay in a hotel until something pops up, and I am also not in a position to buy a home. The commute would be close to 3 hours, so that is not something I can realistically make each day.

I really want to take the job, but I am not comfortable giving an answer on Monday if I have no idea where I would live. How do I voice these concerns without losing the opportunity? I will admit, during the interview I was asked how soon I could start, and I did ask about the rental market. I was told that I could easily find a good home for a fair rental price so I said 2 weeks.

[Veloise]

Thanks again guys!

However, I am in a bit of a bind now, and could use some more advice! They want an answer on Monday. The start date is about 2 and a half weeks from now. Problem is I cannot find anywhere to live. There are no real apartment complex's (all of them are senior living). The rental home market is non-existent besides homes designed for vacation rentals (not long term), or the rents are sky high (1,200+). I am not in a financial position to stay in a hotel until something pops up, and I am also not in a position to buy a home. The commute would be close to 3 hours, so that is not something I can realistically make each day.

I really want to take the job, but I am not comfortable giving an answer on Monday if I have no idea where I would live. How do I voice these concerns without losing the opportunity? I will admit, during the interview I was asked how soon I could start, and I did ask about the rental market. I was told that I could easily find a good home for a fair rental price so I said 2 weeks.

Take the job, and mention your housing concerns at that time, tell them that you'd appreciate any leads. Once you get there, it's likely that the local paper will find you, and you can mention the dilemma then.

You can put most of your stuff into storage while you look. I am guessing that any motel would rent to you on a weekly basis. You could return "home" on Fridays, come back on Sundays, and the motel would still land their big bucks weekend rates.

Once you arrive, scrub the grocery store bulletin boards for a home share or MIL place. (We brought in a new minister at my church, and he stayed in the upstairs flat of the senior minister's house.)

It's in NC, right? Trailer MH park? FEMA camper?

Relocating will be a concern no matter what post-grad job you land. Don't think about buying a place, as you are just getting started.

"Live close to work" has always been my mantra.

HTH