Planning degree necessary for planning job?

[rrk]

Hi everybody. I just moved to DC and was thinking about trying to find a planning related job here. There are so many levels of government in the metro area, public interest groups, private firms etc. My problem is that I have a BA in English and no planning degree. I was in an excellent masters planning program three years ago for a semester but had to leave because of burnout/anxiety problems that had little to do with the coursework itself. I would like to reapply for a similar program in planning/design/policy eventually but would like to find an planning related job in the meantime. My planning knowledge is excellent, I can read a map like nobody else, I can throw around terminology with the best of them and I have excellent computer skills. I am willing to take a administrative/rubber stamping job as long as I could have some contact with planning. Is that possible in this age of planning professionalism? Any advice would be appreciated, especially as it pertains to Wash. DC.

 

[Planderella]

I don't know anything about the DC area.

I also have a BA in English, but also a Masters in Urban Planning. In general, planners do a lot of writing - studies, staff reports,plans, etc. While you're earning your planning degree, you can always sell your writing skills to prospective employers. That has always been my selling point.

 

[Richmond Jake]

My advice

Run. Run from this profession like it has the plague.

 

[Doitnow]

My planning knowledge is excellent, I can read a map like nobody else, I can throw around terminology with the best of them and I have excellent computer skills.

I wouldnt know much about the Employment rules and styles in the US and Canada. Although the abovementioned skills are really useful in the profession, it would be better to get a planning degree( full time or even part time).

Thats my advice.
Rest is upto you!!

 

[PlannerGirl]

Well as a planner in the DC area get ready for a long job hunt. Everyone wants tons of years under the belt and offers little pay.

My .02
-look for a foot in the door with a goverment, it might even be an intern, admin help that sort of thing just so you can get your name know to them and pick up the local lingo.

-Va planning laws are screwy as hell-Dillons rule rules the roost around here.
Go to the workshops at the NCBM National Cap Building Meu.

-Many many planners dont have planning degrees, I dont but I now have almost 9 years in the field.

-Get out and NETWORK, join the local state and DC listserves, ask around whos good to work for and who sucks.

Good luck!

 

[solarstar]

The only reason that I obtained the AICP is to overcome the fact that I don't have a planning degree. I have a masters' in education, and that tended to put off employers automatically. The AICP sure isn't a reflection of planning ability (many threads devoted to this topic already!), but it made sure that my resume was read and doors were opened when I was job hunting.

 

[Dharmster]

Before you get a planning degree consider the possibility that you may not actually use it. It's quite common for people with professional degrees not to use their degrees after a stint in their intended career.

 

[istrospb]

Hi everybody. I just moved to DC and was thinking about trying to find a planning related job here. There are so many levels of government in the metro area, public interest groups, private firms etc. My problem is that I have a BA in English and no planning degree. I was in an excellent masters planning program three years ago for a semester but had to leave because of burnout/anxiety problems that had little to do with the coursework itself. I would like to reapply for a similar program in planning/design/policy eventually but would like to find an planning related job in the meantime. My planning knowledge is excellent, I can read a map like nobody else, I can throw around terminology with the best of them and I have excellent computer skills. I am willing to take a administrative/rubber stamping job as long as I could have some contact with planning. Is that possible in this age of planning professionalism? Any advice would be appreciated, especially as it pertains to Wash. DC.

Hi! I have a bachelor degree in linqustics and it helped me a lot while pursuing master's degree in planning. In my class there were a lot of students who worked for a while in planning commisions or envronment protection organizations. It was easier for them to sort things out during the classes, especially in Law class. I wish I first got some experience in the planning field before pursuing the degree.
It depends on what kid of planning you want to do, I guess. I worked first for a Cartographical Agency in Russia, the for environmental institute. Maybe you can find a job in a non-profit organization first.