What would you be/do if you weren't a Planner?

[SW MI Planner]

Just curious....

As for me....I absolutely love archaeology, historic preservation, and architecture, and at times, actually considered going to school for each of them (separetely). I fell into planning as a result of wanting some sort of connection with all three of them. I actually love planning ((gasp!!)), so I wouldn't necessarily do something else that would require me going back to school.

I also love Forensics, but don't think I could stomache it.

I have no desire (at this time) to go Public Admin. I want control on the planning part of it. Not really *control*, per se, but the ability to use my knowledge and have input on things.

What I really would LOVE to do is have a downtown business that has antiques, crafts, plants. You know, the really cute ones people love to go to. Maybe hold some classes - stuff like that. Ok, now you all can be sure that I am a big time dork (but proud!) I want to also learn to quilt and to play the violin (in case anyone cares...)

Christine

 

[nerudite]

Hmmmm... it depends on how much money I already had in the bank. Like I would dig being a travel agent or tour guide, but only if I could support myself (these days, that isn't likely!)... I used to love doing layout for the newspaper. You get to work swing and usually be in a creative, fun environment (well, at least the places I've worked).

Sports photographer would be groovy, too. Like the Bennet guy that does all the hockey pics.

When I get old (like really old), I'll probably be one of those cantankerous campground hosts that parks their rv's in the best spot for the entire summer. How hard can that be? And hey... free camping!

 

[Dan]

Well, I was a computer science major in high school. However, straight coding wasn't too appealing, and I was always fascinated with cities and the built environment -- thus, my chosen profession.

If not planning, I'd probably be an architect. That, or Web site content creation. Teaching and research -- sociology and anthropology -- is also something I'd find appealing.

 

[Repo Man]

I would like to do something music related. I always thought that owning a record/cd shop would be cool...well except for the pay. Working for a decent record label would be cool too. Music writer/critic...

Maybe I have watched High Fidelity and Almost Famous too many times.

 

[Planderella]

I'd be a courtesan.

 

[mike gurnee]

I started out in architecture, but couldn't hack the math (8am every day). Then I toyed with pre-law before discovering planning. Perhaps one of those with the proper motivation. But I think being a "Gentleman Farmer" would be nice.

 

[Journeymouse]

Not that I'm a planner at the moment, but I always wanted to be Isaac Asimov when I grew up. In the sense of write that much in that many genres and make that much money, not the sense of being male and dead... The being a science advisor to Star Trek would be a pretty cool part of being Asimov, too. Especially with the cute guy playing the engineer in Enterprise *eyes glaze over*

 

[Jeff]

Firefighter with the Philadelphia Fire Department. Maybe someday I'll hit the lottery so I can actually afford to work my "dream job."

 

[PlannerGirl]

Lawyer by day Fetish model by night *hey gotta have one to pay for the other right?*

 

[Habanero]

I'd love to have a show like one of the ones on Food TV.. like the Thirsty Traveler.

 

[Downtown]

I'd be a courtesan.

OK, Satine. hee.

If money weren't really an issue? Travel agent or wedding planner.

However, when I was really hating my life at my consulting job, I actually started to go back to school to get a masters in teaching reading in elementary school. However, 6 months later I got this job, and love it, so stopped going to school.

 

[el Guapo]

A small dream

I'd own a Kinko's(TM) in a mid-west college town and take all the available college classes and get like 37 PhD's and talk a lot of crap to impressionable minds and counter-protest every protest of something and ride my bike everywhere and wear shorts year-round and work on my Volvo and Saltwater tank alot and sit on boards and toss out ADHD inspired off topic comments.

 

[Dan]

Fetish model by night

You know, if you do't have that many night meetings, the latter is still quite possible.

You could start your own Web site, too. Post some teaser shots in a.b.p.e.f, and direct them to a URL where, for $10 a month, they can find more PlannerGirl goodness.

I'd own a Kinko's(TM) in a mid-west college town and take all the available college classes and get like 37 PhD's and talk a lot of crap to impressionable minds and counter-protest every protest of something and ride my bike everywhere and wear shorts year-round and work on my Volvo and Saltwater tank alot and sit on boards and toss out ADHD inspired off topic comments.

Here's some stickers for your Volvo, to start you off on your new lifestyle.

 

[prudence]

Lawyer by day Fetish model by night *hey gotta have one to pay for the other right?*

I agree. PlannerGirl should be a fetish model.

I would be an attorney. Funny how I keep choosing careers where people think you are scum...

 

[PlannerGirl]

Lol thanks guys
I actualy have my first public showing of my photography in November-i just found out today my work got selected!


Yhaeee *happy beagle dance*

 

[Downtown]

very cool - go danie!

 

[gkmo62u]

All things being equal: Stay at home dad.

Now if i was single...major league baseball umpire. Travel, per diem, and baseball everyday--and a darn good salary.

 

[Dan]

Lol thanks guys
I actualy have my first public showing of my photography in November-i just found out today my work got selected!

JPG! JPG! JPG!

 

[PlannerGirl]

Lol no Dan you have seen enough-there is no way in heck i can or will post it here. And no they are not slezy.

 

[Richmond Jake]

I'd like to become a photographer for the Victoria's Secret catalogue.

 

[giovannitp]

Hmm, if I weren't going to be a planner...

I'd own a Kinko's(TM) in a mid-west college town and take all the available college classes and get like 37 PhD's and talk a lot of crap to impressionable minds...

Well, I'd probably spend my time writing books about anything, visiting different parts of the world, and working in an Apple Store. I would support this luxurious lifestyle by staying in school forever and blackmailing scholarship money from Bill Gates and other conspirators for world domination. 'Cause I know what they're up to.

I should probably stop stealing stuff from El Guapo but its not like he could sue me - I'm a poor college student.

 

[el Guapo]

been there

I should probably stop stealing stuff from El Guapo but its not like he could sue me - I'm a poor college student.

A customer actually threatened to sue me in my first planner job after college back in '97 because I refused to "good ole boy" an application. I dug out the keys to my 88' Dodge Colt Wagon and tossed them to her and told her she now had 3/4 of my assets. The other 1/4 was invested in Dockers and a 386. She put the keys down on the desk and left.

 

[Tom R]

otro trabajo

I would be the taste tester and roving correspondent for "Beer" magazine, an international publication dedicated to the the time honored tradition (in my family, at least) of quaffing fine suds.

 

[Tranplanner]

I really don't know what I'd do if I wasn't a planner - I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else (well, I guess on some days professional golfer sounds good).

My wife and I have talked about opening a small French-Canadian restaurant.

Or maybe I could be the first Iron Chef "Canadian".

 

[Tom R]

food

When I lived in Northern Maine, the local Franco-Americans (Acadian) served a thin buckwheat pancake (ploids? [sp.]). Yummy, especially with maple syurp.

 

[BKM]

Alternative (Post Lottery)

I would probably be an architect, except I can't draw and don't like math.

Landscape architecture is very interesting. Sorta planning-related, I like plants and doesn't require as much structural engineering type math.

Maybe open an architecture/design book store/photo gallery/frou frou architectural housewares store. Only if I had a partner to do the dirty work of running the business. I would show my photographs of old midwestern red brick factories, not caring if anyone wants to buy them, because, of course, this is a post-lottery alternative

 

[pete-rock]

Re: Alternative (Post Lottery)

Landscape architecture is very interesting. Sorta planning-related, I like plants and doesn't require as much structural engineering type math.

Ditto, BKM. If I'd been exposed to landscape architecture out of high school, that's probably the way I would've gone. The plants stuff, though, I could do without.

Teaching and research, too. I'd love to come to class and pontificate about planning, sociology, geography or poli sci, telling impressionable undergrads that I know everything about those fields and everything that will happen in the future. And have pretty grad students assist me on research and publishing.

What a dream.

 

[Mastiff]

I have my undergrad degree in Landscape Architecture. And it can be fun unless you have those damned deadlines...



Did you hear about the Landscape Architect who won the lottery?

He stayed in business until the money ran out...

 

[pandersen]

My Profession, If Not A Planner

If I were not a planner, I'd probably be a carpenter or cabinetmaker. There is something inherently satisfying about working with your hands and producing beautiful and functional furniture. I also enjoy welding and metal fabircation.

I do these activities as a hobby and actually owned by own commercial/residential renovation company between undergraduate and graduate degrees, but I soon discovered that all the joy went out of the activities when money and deadlines entered the picture.

As for landscape architecture, I don't need to become one as my sister is in the business. My dad (although retired) was a civil engineer who started life as a carpenter. On the face of it, it would seem that the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree.

One ther profession that I thought might be funis that of "author".
I have often thoought it might be fun to assemble a rambling book dealing with varoius humorous aspects of planning and community development. Hell a good portionof the material I could use could come direly from this website.

I once posted a thread on this website inquiring what planners did to relieve job stress. One idividual responded that she enjoyed gardening. In particular, she enjoyed "weeding". As she explained it, she would give each troublesome weed the name of a difficult developer and then take great pleasure in pulling it. I still laugh when I think about that story.

 

[nerudite]

Sorry to dredge up old threads...

But last night I was watching a movie when I had this epiphany and finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up! I mean, I would really love to do this...

I want to be a locational scout for a film company. If some script calls for some quaint village somewhere, you get to travel around and find the perfect quaint village. Or stinky, mosquito-infested swamp, or hot, sandy desert wasteland. But whatever... it's still awesome! Finally, an exciting way to actually use my Geography degree.