International experience - Good or bad?

[racheljean]

So I've completed a BA in planning (in California) and MSc in regional and urban planning (in London) in 2010, and neither were particularly specialised. Since then I've very luckily worked for two multi-national companies in London doing planning, albeit in the UK and a few international/Middle East projects. This is great for now, but I am American and would like to come back to the US in the future to continue my career.

What do people think - Do I have any chance at ever being hired in planning or a planning-related field in the US private sector? I figure I wouldn't stand a chance in the public sector given my experience....

[bostonplanner]

I don't think the international experience is a bad thing, especially in a private consulting firm that could value the fresh perspective. I think the issue, however, will be competing for jobs against those with a masters. Not because an advanced degree makes them better than you, per se, but I do think it may make them more attractive to employers. Maybe you could try for jobs first, trying to avoid the need to take the time to go back to school, pay tuition, etc. and if it doesn't work out consider going back to school -- with your experience getting in to a program shouldn't be too difficult.

[Backstrom]

I don't think the international experience is a bad thing, especially in a private consulting firm that could value the fresh perspective. I think the issue, however, will be competing for jobs against those with a masters. Not because an advanced degree makes them better than you, per se, but I do think it may make them more attractive to employers. Maybe you could try for jobs first, trying to avoid the need to take the time to go back to school, pay tuition, etc. and if it doesn't work out consider going back to school -- with your experience getting in to a program shouldn't be too difficult.

Um..OP has a Masters, if you didn't read the post.

[wahday]

Sounds to me like you would be in quite a good position with both a Masters and work experience. I personally (as an employer) feel that the work was done abroad would be an issue. So long as you can show you can work with the English measuring system, I say come on home.

Though to be clear, the employment picture is still not great here in the States. But that has nothing to do with qualifications really, just the state of the economy.

[Cardinal]

The international experience will cause some to hesitate. You will need to do a very good job of translating that experience into useful experience in the US. I suspect that would be much easier if your experience, and the job you are seeking, would be in long range planning instead of development review.

[bostonplanner]

Um..OP has a Masters, if you didn't read the post.

Sorry - missed that.