How to Become a City Planner

[@TVegaC]

are you telling me that my 1000 experience-hours in Cities Skylines aren't good enough?

[@CityBeautiful]

Put it on your resume and see what happens! ;)

[@Sevenfold120]

@@CityBeautiful Nope didnt work. ;(

[@stun3282]

VEGA get in my level, I have 1400 hours of experience

[@shekharkamal9538]

have graduated in Geography, masters in Geography and Masters in Urban Planning, knowledge of Gis software and have approximately 14400 hours of work experience Belongs to India 9654456782

[@icerefrigerator1239]

VEGA lol

[@guatemalantomcat]

What if you get a degree just so you can improve your ability in cities: skylines?

[@CityBeautiful]

I need to try that game!

[@Adam-wl3cf]

Be sure to mod the game heavily. The base game is really frustrating if you want to make your city look realistic and aesthetically pleasing. With mods it's an absolute masterpiece and a city planners wet dream. Currently building a sort of replica of the city I live in and it's starting to look like the real thing.

[@Ben-uv1cb]

guatemalantomcat- you may be joking, but I have a Masters in Urban Planning, and I only use it for City:Skylines ;) (I have a job in a totally different field from my studies).

[@redknight4367]

Legit you can learn more from cities skylines... because every time you fail in a game you've learnt what not to do... when you implement (with mods) planners ideas you see how they fail. my only gripe is that the buildings don't really seem to be scaled correctly (e.g. a detached house and skyscraper). Videogames like city skylines is a pretty damn good teaching method. obviously though ofcourse it wont teach you how to make connections with the appropriate dudes to make shit happen. Why? Cause u gawd.

[@boborson5536]

That is the end game.

[@futurefirefighter9976]

150 hrs of playing simciy 4 on my current PC and hundreds more on my old computers. I think this was meant for me.

[@MrStronglime]

I know a dude who has 5000 hours on Gmod. What is his specialty?

[@versace6609]

@@MrStronglime either a software engineer or a mechanical engineer

[@MrStronglime]

@@versace6609 I think the point was that 150 hours and a couple more are nothing. On the other hand, you are absolutely right.

[@mikmak3450]

Same XD

[@mrfacques]

This video omits a few problems. First, there are very jobs in planning, at least in Chicago, even though the Chicago metropolitan area has more municipalities and other sub-state governments than any other metro area in the US. A degree in urban planning will get you job, but it will most likely not be as a “urban planner.” The second issue, which this video does touch on, is that as a planner, you are more or less just part of the a city’s bureaucracy, and for the most part, planners get relegated to reviewing construction and business applications or grant applications or grant management, every once in a while there might be the opportunity to do something more planning-related. Of course, I speak from experience, if you do decide to go to school, don’t forget to take classes that will give you some hard skills, like GIS or data analysis, otherwise your urban planning degree is as valuable as any other liberal arts degree

[@CityBeautiful]

True! My experience is working at a consulting firm doing long range planning, so my experience is definitely different than a planner working at a planning counter reviewing projects. I'm also on the West Coast, where there is a lot of growth and the planning industry is growing too.

[@Maxime_K-G]

I'm actually going to study Geography! It's a pretty broad field so I'll still have some time to see what I'll actually end up liking the most and what area I would want to work in. Urban-planning is definitely an option, thanks for your videos!

[@homyce]

I am an architect with a master's degree in architecture and an MBA. I worked as an architect for few years, then switched careers many times becoming a Project Manager, Realtor...etc. I was very good in every career I took but never felt satisfied. I always felt ithat city planning was probably the right path for me; I was always obsessed by maps, love to have a global view and have a very strong desire to create "utopias" and make other people's lives better. Unfortunately I am 43 years old now and it's too late to switch. I take solace in watching your videos. You are probably everything I wanted to be! Keep up the awesome work.

[@erikah8537]

You are only 43 and are likely to live pass the age of 80. You still have plenty of time.

[@user-ob5cw1pg9b]

What an excuse

[@audwan4]

43 is NOT too late.

[@teardrops716]

Hi! I am an aspiring City planner/ Substainable Architect. Your videos really do help me see the day-to-day tasks that city planner deal with. I live in Buffalo so, city planning is a really big thing because we're going through re-vitalization. Thank you and keep up the good work!

[@sjappiyah4071]

Thanks so much, I’m a 1st year student in Toronto studying Urban and Regional Planning. This is very helpful

[@immermitderruhe]

I studied Architecture for 2 years but I had much more fun doing the urban planning project. Now I changed and I'm going to start to study urban planning and I'm really looking forward to it!! Love this channel

[@richardt.rogers2730]

Alright, I'm going to go try this real quick. I'll report back in a few

[@HandpickedHypixel]

any updates?

[@nathanp5711]

@@HandpickedHypixel I don't think he survived. Urban planning is dangerous!

[@blagoevski336]

Updates?

[@drunkdriving_germany]

Update?

[@TateinhoYT]

Any luck?

[@KimCruz1]

Thanks for demystifying what city planners do! As someone who used to love playing Cities I never gave it a second thought!

[@CityBeautiful]

Thanks for your G7 videos -- I just bought one! And I wish I had seen your lighting video earlier. Great advice.

[@aaronschwartz7396]

Thanks for this, wonderful to know that im pretty much on the right track to being an environmental planner!

[@nathanp5711]

This was really great. I loved the information. What is limiting me from finding a career I can see myself passionate about pursuing is that I cannot imagine a day in the life. You hit some of it when you explained private v. public jobs. Would you consider doing a video delving deeper into what the day to day is like in this field?

[@himbourbanist]

Awesome info. Wish I had money for college

[@robroux6074]

its free for citizens and american education is crap. Even if you have 8's in America its actually a 4 in Germany.

[@tllporto]

Check out Europe, staying in the US for college isn't the only option out there. Europeans take free college tuition for granted.

[@MilwaukeeF40C]

Most Europeans can not get admitted in to a program worth more than an associate's degree under their "free" system.

[@lafemmerowena]

where is it free? which country? am in the netherlands.

[@jonathanh222]

Not only is education free (ALL education, of any level and kind) we *get paid* to attend university here in Sweden.

[@SA-xt1gd]

Honestly one reason whats keeping me from getting a master’s is student loans. Im going to graduate with a undergrad degree and im thankful ill get out with 0 debt

[@isaiahmartinez.]

i’ve been thinking about becoming a city planner for a couple years now i’m a sophmore is highschool. what i am worried about is my expectations are wayyyy to high. i want to design cities/towns. but you make it sound so much harder😂. i am also worried about the diversity. i am hispanic and i would not want to be the only hispanic💀.

[@cameronmccollough98]

I'm a 32 year old black man. People of color need to pursue careers like this. I'm currently looking up schools and programs for me to get this process started. You're a sophomore in high school. Start pursuing this career NOW. Don't let time fly by like I did.

[@gidd]

@@cameronmccollough98 It's never too late to achieve your dreams🙏🏽

[@GGee_734]

Please don't let a lack of diversity discourage you. :( I've been in plenty of offices as the only Black woman (UX Designer here though). That future office needs you and your perspective. You'll be able to uncover important details that require empathy. They should be thankful and your community will be too.

[@rabbiezekielgoldberg2497]

These days, there is no conceivable way anyone will discriminate against you for being any kind of non-White person. The consequences for them doing so would ruin them.

[@jerryberry5480]

Thanks for this video. Now I'm looking forward to studying Urban and Regional Planning at uni next year

[@chinleobrera396]

I always love watching your videos. It inspires me even further to become a City Planner someday. Currently have a degree for Architecture and planning to take Urban and Regional Planning (it's Environmental Planning's counterpart here in the Philippines) and later take Transportation Planning. I'm learning a lot from your videos. Hope you continue to publish more vids in the future!

[@thuyq2490]

Can you make videos based around different career areas in planning such as economic development, land use planning, transportation, and a day in the life...Etc .. thx

[@CityBeautiful]

That's a good idea!

[@cygaming1222]

Duo Comento

[@Christo4.n]

I love your channel, Dave! It's so informative and entertaining. As a student looking to study city planning, I have a few questions: What are the best parts of being a planner, and what are the worst? What are the most essential skills to work on before entering the field? Thanks for all of the wonderful videos!

[@CityBeautiful]

Thanks Jack! My favorite part of being a planner is looking for solutions for real-world, often tangible solutions to urban problems. The worst part about being a planner is that many of those solutions are in plans we write, which can take a long time to get implemented, if ever. Patience is a virtue that I lack sometimes. As for skills, planners need great oral and written communication skills. You have to communicate complex ideas to decision makers and the general public and it's a skill that takes practice. Most planners need some experience with GIS and a basic understanding of graphics software helps. Good luck!

[@Christo4.n]

Thanks for the reply! I'll take that into account for my education and self-improvement.

[@ChireSakura]

Thanks for the channel! I am a second year student at the School of Urban and Regional Planning (The University of Iowa) and I look forward to working as a planner after graduation!

[@upekhanppd]

My only daughter holdin b > LINGFIELD PARK

[@alexdehmer6621]

How was your time in grad school at Iowa?

[@beplantastisch5280]

I studied urban planning here in Montreal, but realized it wasn't for me. Now, I'm studying my master's degree in mangement of sustainability, creativity and innovation in hopes of merging those new skills with my urban planning knowledge and have a positive impact on cities!

[@WeddingCater]

Great video! I am currently a junior in highschool, and I am very interested in becoming a city planner. I have arranged meetings with my local city planners to learn a bit more about the job, but do you think there are other things that I could do as a high schooler to try and become a better potential city planner?

[@CityBeautiful]

Hey Kai! It's great that you are already making progress toward your goal of becoming a city planner! One thing you could do in high school is read a few of the standard planning books -- this was something I did at your age to get inspired. To get started, I'd recommend "The Death and Life of Great American Cities" by Jane Jacobs. It's an absolute classic and fairly readable; Jacobs was a journalist, not a professional planner. I also really like "Crabgrass Frontier" by Kenneth Jackson. It's an excellent history of U.S. land use and transportation planning and is also a pretty easy read. Let me know if you have other questions!

[@ChireSakura]

Consider joining The School of Urban and Regional Planning (The University of Iowa). It's a great master program with a family atmosphere. I'm a second year student there and loving it!

[@B_Cleric_Time]

Also get involved in your community. Volunteer, etc. Look for volunteer opportunities at your local neighborhood organization.

[@omegacheeseburger9101]

How are things going 3 years later?

[@samuelmanteca8551]

So did you become a planner?

[@JordanDrewVideos]

I came here to see if my degree mattered. I'm in my last year as a psychology student and I realized my passion for city planning, geography, and environmentalism far outweighed my desire to be a counselor. I just never considered this job before! But it is definitely something I want to pursue.

[@alec347]

You mentioned you made the mistake of not doing internships during your undergrad career, which made it difficult to get into your first position. I'm curious, how did you overcome this lack of professional experience? Are there stepping stone jobs or post-graduation internships one should focus on if the opportunity for internships (which are generally limited to current full time students) is missed?

[@urmanascrewed]

Super excited! I'm studying to go into this field. I go to a big university, so we have a city planning degree. Most of the jobs I've looked at you do not need a master's degree, just a degree related to planning, but most of them want at least a couple years of experience unless it is a junior level or entry level position (which pay decently anyway).

[@LifeGeneralist]

One of the kind of videos on youtube. Never seen this subject on videos yet. Great work, keep going.

[@Hyperventilacion]

Great video, I'm about to finish my BA in history, and I'm gravitating towards this, maybe not as a city planner, but I'm really interested in incorporating it to my research, maybe policymaking or consultancy. Thanks!

[@manhoosnick]

Omar Adrián Nuño Íñiguez Look into encouraging 'Interrgenerational interactions'

[@definitelynotacrab7651]

Great video, city planning was always interesting to me, glad to hear how in another life I could become one.

[@merthanoglu4956]

I've just known this channel for 30 mins but I can say that I should've watched these videos before! Great content you are making, subscribed!

[@j-gq8818]

THIS, is what I want from a youtuber. Great Video

[@DeeQJohnson]

My Personal Experience 1. Play Sim City and Sims for most of my life 2. Realized I loved maps and demographics 3. Majored in Geoscience with a concentration in Meteorology and GIS 4. Realized the math for meteorology was too hard 5. Focused on GIS 6. Intern as GIS tech for planning office 7. Went to Grad school for City and Regional Planning 8. Various internships 9. Currently a project planner for a government in West TN

[@jrcolmena]

When I was about to graduate high school I seriously considered this career path, but in my country the only urban planning program was closely linked to design and architecture and had much less of an statistical/mathematical approach. There was going to be for example a lot of drafting (by hand/rapidograph) and cardboard model making, all which I hated so I decided to go for engineering. I'm not complaining about my career choice but these videos do make me wonder "what if"

[@msbluesky2010]

Useful info, thanks. I am going to get a urban planning degree.

[@bonda_racing3579]

sherry wang what projects have you worked on so far?

[@may4902]

Can you please make a video that goes into a deeper look at step 3? I also messed up and didn't get any experience and I'm really struggling. maybe talk about what you did in particular after not getting those jobs? or other ways of getting experience outside of school/ after graduation.

[@tannawannavannabittannawan7138]

I love your videos! Great topics, helpful links, and very informative. Thank you!! 😋👍🏼

[@l0ndon429]

Great video as always! Could you possibly say how good the job market is? Like if you get a degree from a decent university and are quite professional and intelligent, are you guaranteed a job more or less? Also could you possibly take us through your daily life in the job one time? Thanks again.

[@leightonpittman]

I don't know if your still looking for an answer 1 year later but I'll give it to you anyway. The job market for urban planning is massive in growing cities but you're never "guaranteed" a job. You definitely don't have to worry about not finding work if you are a relatively competitive candidate in a fast growing city.

[@l0ndon429]

@@leightonpittman thanks appreciate the answer! As someone now studying a planning degree thats a bit of a relief to hear!

[@anthonyscarborough3813]

I’m currently a Junior majoring in Geography. I chose Geography as a major because I have been interested in maps since I was little and also because I wanted to avoid going into a social science where the only viable job option is to become a professor. This is because I have a learning disability, and as a result I don’t think I could handle the constant stress associated with working in academia. I need periodic breaks to maintain my mental well-being. Also, because of my disability, I have problems doing certain types of computer related work, including GIS. I since decided that I do not want a job in Geography because I have discovered that it is too reliant on GIS and STEM fields. After taking an Urban Planning class I decided Urban Planning could be good alternative since it seems more social science related. However, after watching this, I’m worried that like Geography, it depends too much on STEM and GIS. After watching this, I’m also a little worried that like in academia, as a planner I would be under constant stress that I could not handle and would not get the periodic breaks I need. What do you think, based on my situation? Is Planning the right for me? Also, what specialties should I opt for or avoid based on my situation?

[@CityBeautiful]

Hi Anthony! It's hard to know if planning is right for you without knowing the exact nature of your learning disability. That said, there are many different kinds of planning and I'm guessing that there is something for you. You could look into "current planning," where planning technicians work to apply zoning and building codes for new development. These planners work for city governments and review development applications to ensure they meet the city's requirements. If you like working with people, you may be interested in working for a firm that specializes in community outreach. In this role you would be assisting or managing the public outreach associated with planning projects. This would mean planning and conducting community workshops, reaching out to key stakeholders, and drafting press releases. There's a whole field of planning law, particularly environmental law. I would encourage you to look at these sub-fields and others to find something that could work for you. Good luck!

[@TSkyD]

Dude your channel is great!!!

[@RJones-Indy]

Great video with excellent advice! Urban and Environmental Planning can be a very rewarding career.

[@wagonhound_official]

All the books you recommend and content you put out, I think you would really enjoy the tongue in cheek lyrics to Rodriguez’ song “Heikki Suburbia Bus Tour” and a lot of his others including “Inner City Blues” and “Can’t Get Away”. He’s a working man who grew up and lived his whole life in Detroit, I don’t think he has any history in City Planning. But the observations he makes in his songs tie very closely together with the themes you cover in your videos. I think you’d find his songwriting interesting, and I personally would find it very interesting for you to do a video of how City Planning and other themes you cover have been portrayed by a lot of our favorite songs and music over the years!

[@wagonhound_official]

Needless to say, I’m a huge fan of your work. Despite the direction I’ve gone with my background in music, songwriting, illustration and truck driving, I enjoyed wasting months of my childhood becoming a SimCity master and even considered city planning for my future career. Your videos (as well as those of your educational KZbin affiliates) are absolutely addictive, my daily dose of nerd porn as I like to call it hahaha. Very high quality and informative. And they highly influence my songwriting. You and Wendover Productions will easily deserve credit by the time I put out my first three albums. Just thought I’d let you know you’ve had some influence, artistic influence even, not sure if you’d have expected that! TL;DR Good stuff, Keep it coming

[@BearsThatCare]

Realizing now after watching all the city beautiful videos (after notJustBikes, playing sim city/city skylines, and imagining what green cities could look like) that I am in the perfect position to become a city planner as I work on my environmental science degree. I still want organizing for food systems to be my main thing though, at least at the moment. Maybe I could do both? City planning on the side? Either way thanks for making these videos! They're educating and inspiring.

[@abdullahaljarad9445]

You're a very positive person :) Nice Video

[@DengueBurger]

nice seeing the tampa city council at the beginning of the video

[@zochbuppet448]

between 2005 and 2013 many planners who finished school could find a job (U.S and Canada) as there was over saturation and the older people are not retiring. Same with most positions dealing with government Become a plumber instead. Most of it now is social planning and renewal, neighborhood and highrise renewal. A new field linked to civil engineering is Public asset renewal, fix the crumbling highways and overpasses that are falling apart...especially in the north due to the weather.

[@FardhanA96]

Great video! I wonder why it's only have a few viewers for this enlighting video. I'm Fardhan and i'm a final year undergradute student of urban & regional planning program in Indonesia. I have been thinking lately about how do i continue my journey to become a urban planner. Firstly about whether i get a job first or directly continue my studies. And if i choose to continue my studies then "where would i go?". I was hoping that i can ask you about the options of the variety of urban planning program and how to choose it. Thank You

[@aljailialrsam5349]

I'm urban planner from Sudan & I can't find job around here 😥

[@PodcastCentral333]

Try move to south Africa, they are a developing country and need motivated people to improve the country.

[@gregvassilakos]

The next question is why anyone would want to become a city planner. Planners are continually trying to satisfy elected officials while negotiating a minefield between developers and concerned citizens. I have a friend who is a planner who has spoken to me about the frustrations of dealing with the county board of supervisors, the priorities of which change with each election. I myself have been in the position multiple times of being in heated arguments with planners during presentations on proposed developments. While the work seems interesting, continually having to deal with politicians, developers, and concerned citizens must suck.

[@ihsansusanto989]

Hi there thank you for the video, i'm actually a bachelor student of Regional and Urban Planning, with a focused stream of transportation planning. I study in my home country, Indonesia. I hope we can discuss more about planning because it will be so much different between developed country like the US and developing country like mine. In here, especially in the transportation sector we are challenged by transportation mafia! Yes, because of that we lack on transportation network and infrastructure

[@tjejojyj]

Great video. Very interesting. One quibble. At 1:16 you used an image from the groundbreaking of the Honolulu Rapid Transit. I think the jury is definitely out on whether this is making a "positive contribution".

[@wheresbicki]

You added the city of Holland, MI to your b-roll!

[@kansas12005]

Exactly what I was looking for. Good video

[@mlee-w664]

Word of advice: Get an internship before you graduate from University!!! I got the undergraduate degree in Environmental planning, but I didn't do an internship before I graduated, which makes it much more difficult after you graduate

[@Zeus17x]

If I may ask, what are you currently doing with your undergrad degree? I also failed to get an internship before graduating and feel like my only option is to go back to school and apply for internships if I ever want a career in my field.

[@diegoespinosa45]

Hi Dave, This video was really great and exciting for me. A lot of the questions you answered were questions I had been asking myself for a long time. This was especially significant when you speak about getting a master if you have a BS that isn't directly connected to urban planning. I expect to graduate in May of 2019 with a BS in psychology and a certificate from the Purdue School of Engineering in sustainable technologies. My long-term goal is to become an urban planner and tie sustainable principles and technology to it but I am worried about whether I could get a job in city planning with that degree and certification. Would you say it'd be almost necessay for me to obtain my masters if I want to be a serious urban planner?

[@airplaneplustrainguy8143]

This is good video!!! I am also interested in cities, transportation, housing and geography also politics and also want to be a politician and even reach being Philippine President

[@karl-oppa5261]

Airplane Plus Train Guy wut? you seriously want to be the president of the philippines? kaya mo bang banggain ang mga elites and oligarchs na nagpapatakbo ng pinas? maski si duterte nga hindi kaya banggain ang mga yan eh....

[@yahyah1453]

Lugi ka sir, malakas dating ng mayayaman at kilalang tao, mahihirapan ka mag hikayat ng mga botante unless tumatakbo ka na sa isang probinsya at kilala na sa mga kalapit na lugar baka dyan kaya pa, pero malabo pag presidente ಥ‿ಥ

[@Fifth_Avenue842]

Hey City Beautiful, I'm doing History,Geography and IT as main studies in the UK. Is that enough for city planning because I'm fascinated about the career. Reasons: Geography- main degree IT- design and CAD for city planning History- Can help learn and preserve historical sites, especially for tourism purposes and planning in general! I'm only in High school but still find city planning fascinating

[@CityBeautiful]

Good luck! Sounds like you are off to a great start.

[@jmeninadeduval848]

This was helpful, thanks!

[@helenpratiwi6016]

Thanks for the info. Very helpful. However, I think you can do better in the speaking tone. So that it can appear not rushing and rather a bit plain, probably you want to look at the Crash Course, they have speakers with fast pace but interactive and engaging. So, more comfortable and interested to be listened moreover when you have long speech in the video.

[@neillmottes9878]

thanks for the video i hope i will be a city planner

[@thegenerikshow8545]

The first week in planning school hit me like a ton of bricks when I figured out that Robert Moses, and Daniel Burnham were seen as examples of what not to do. Wish I watched this video first

[@attill2508]

very good information for my dwarf fortress

[@dianalarks8273]

Hi 👋 I was invited to take the planner test. Do you have any links, advise or direction on how to prep for the test??? Thanks

[@Carlos7Matute]

OMG SIM city in real life!

[@m.h.4912]

Hi! Thank you for making this great video. I enjoyed it a lot! Do you have any advice or suggestion for people like me, who don't have a degree or any experience in urban design or related subject in college, to make a way into in this field? I am thinking about the step 5 as you mentioned in the video, to go to a graduate school, but don't know where to start, such as what to study or what to prepare for the admission test. It will be really helpful to hear from a profession in the city planning industry. Thank you very much!!!

[@98.wintzz]

This Video Is Perfect!!!!!

[@julianandreiimperial2660]

Brilliant! Currently an undergrad in architecture and I am looking forward in becoming a city planner someday! May I ask what is your specialty?

[@CityBeautiful]

Hey Julian -- I used to be a land use planner! Now that I'm back in school, my specialty is urban design. I have a degree in architecture as well! Hope you're getting at least a little sleep.

[@julianandreiimperial2660]

City Beautiful yes, I am getting all the sleep I can get this break! 😂😂

[@uhohhotdog]

I’ve played lots of sim city. Does that help?

[@chrisbrownaz]

Other than internships, is there such as thing as entry-level city planning work? I'm in my 30's and work full-time. I would love to get on low-level staff at a planning department, and then hopefully work my way up. My BA is in Political Science. I might be willing to get an MA in Urban Planning, but only if I felt like there was a high chance of the degree paying off. If I could get some sort of paid planning experience while I get my MA in Urban Planning on the side, that would be ideal.

[@Kreepie11]

I feel this. Working in accounting and considering a change. My local town also has a planning committee, so I've applied to that to see if I can get in, and what can be done from there.

[@19alexandracano]

Currently a junior in high school and i don’t know what I want to do but this really interests me but I would like to know so much more from it lol:(

[@thomashernandez1004]

Hello! Thanks for making this video! Its given me a lot of good advice to think about! I want to study urban planning a year from now, but there is one worry I have... You mentioned that politics is involved, however I on principle do not want to get involved in politics or publicly "choose a side". Will this make it hard for me to get a job, or does it just mean your projects might change depending on the administration?

[@CityBeautiful]

As a planner you do not have to choose a side. Most career planners in the public sector work through multiple administrations without a problem. It just means that priorities might change, that's all.

[@stephen9609]

I love your videos and find urban planning to be very interesting, but I don't think I could ever deal with all the various resident groups (with competing interests, and NIMBY attitudes), or the changing plans from politicians.

[@sibahlendlela8953]

I have a bachelor's degree in sociology in South Africa. I'm also interested in city planning. How do you consider specialities, do you do short courses?

[@jestinmathew4503]

India also needs to adopt the speciality system in it's city planning departments.

[@4r640]

So instead of creating a WHOLE city you just change small parts of a city?

[@b3po179]

Thought some of these clips seemed familiar, I've taken Sociology classes at UC Berkeley in that same classroom in 1:58 haha.

[@soufflae6735]

hello! i know that i am commenting on quite an old video, but i do have a question. i am currently a junior in high school who is interested in both architecture and urban design. i do see myself gravitating more towards urban design in my future. for college, though, would it be a good plan to study architecture for undergrad (and minor in urban design if possible) and then urban design in grad school? also, just for clarification, i want to focus more on “fixing” areas (ex infill development)- is urban design the right fit for me?

[@sarahoover4270]

I love your videos! I just graduated with a BS is Urban Studies & Planning but I had to work full time and couldn't get an internship. I graduated with high honors, but I was wondering if you had advice for me in regard to finding a job, especially in this current economy? Is there any way to get one in the field without having an internship? Thank you!!

[@Odm1776]

Could you do a video on the specialties

[@J.5.M.]

Appreciate this thanks! Could you make a similar video with an international focus? I.e. accreditation if from another country or studying abroad?

[@marcushammonds5622]

Awesome video. I’m wondering how you started in the field without the internship experience employers look for. I graduated with a degree in Geography and Urban Studies but my interests led me into Building Engineering. As a graduate without an city planning internship, how would I get into that field?

[@CityBeautiful]

After working outside the field, I went back to graduate school for planning and got internships then. That's one way to do it! Otherwise, are you financially able to do an internship now? With your degree, though, you might be able to get an entry level job?

[@TheBETZINATOR]

Hello! Question to anyone out there- I am currently a graphic designer and Ive been feeling turned off and disgusted by the marketing world in our current day. Ive been thinking of a career change but nervous because that's a big step, but urban planning keeps getting me excited and really genuinely interests me. It feels almost impossible to change careers 3 years in (still young, I know) is it possible to get into urban planning (specifically things like transportation, community dev) without either going back to get another bachelors or having an internship? Its hard to think about supporting my adult life on internship pay (if any). I have a bachelors of fine arts for graphic design- if I was to go back and get an associates, what would be some areas/classes to focus on that would get me in the door? Thank you for any and all information!!

[@benhudnut9288]

How crucial is understanding GIS? I'm an undergrad interested in planning and I'm wondering if I should add the GIS minor. I don't actually rly like GIS but I'll do it if I need to

[@laneferguson4407]

I am currently an undergradute civil engineering student. I was wondering if this degree program would be good enough for becoming an urban planner?

[@MythosGandaar]

I already have a bachelor's degree (unemployable) and am trying to break into an interesting career. City planning has always been a pretty big interest of mine, but it seems I can't get an entry level job in my region without a master's in planning OR a bachelor's in planning + 1 year of experience. If you have just graduated with a bachelor's in planning, how are you supposed to get a job?? The local master's program here requires work experience to get in lmao.

[@spybloom]

5:09 Hey, De Pere! I live there!

[@themmxchaannel]

Well, i live in Mexico City , right now i study Public Administration and , in a couple of year i´ll study Urban Planning....

[@happiestmistake1504]

Hey I start College in a couple months. I will be majoring in Sustainable Community Development, Minoring in GIS, and planning on getting a Masters after. Is this a good path?

[@kingraiderr]

Did u get the chance to plan a city or work with someone who does?

[@Teochewtuahang]

You are very wrong that city planning need degree. Like there are many abandoned towns in US and Australia. Once you buy it, you can build it as you see fit. Or if you are super rich, you can try to build those gated communities on large scale

[@Me_Caveman]

I dropped out of school for architecture. How does 20 years of military service look on a job application?

[@Caswell19]

If I get a planning degree in the US, is it possible to get a planning job in the UK for example? Or are the planning systems too different to transfer those skills?

[@kgirgis]

City Beautiful, great video! I recently graduated from undergrad this past May, I was wondering how can you do this type of work without a higher up graduate degree? I am in the process of applying to grad school in planning eventually, but is their any way to obtain a professional planning position (either Public, Consulting/For-Profit or Non-Profit sectors) without going to a PAB-accredited planning program?

[@CityBeautiful]

I can only speak from my personal experience, but I worked for a consulting firm that hired undergraduates. Many started with the title "Research Assistant" before moving into "Planner," but they still received excellent experience in the planning field. I'd recommend looking at the bios of people working in planning firms and local agencies in your area. I bet you'll find some that have hired people right out of college. I'd also recommend networking with young planners in your area. Where I live, there is a young planners organization through the local APA chapter. Those folks might be able to point you to the firms and agencies that would be most willing to hire you. Good luck!

[@Calleponken567]

What if you got a degree and some experience, but from a totally different country with a different planning system, norms, law etc? :) Is it possible for a planner to move between systems, or would it be better to go back to school and re-educate? I guess a planner from one country could become a consultant in another and use their knowledge as a specialization... but I don't know how that would really work :P

[@Voltermort]

Thanks!

[@themonsterofyou]

Hey, so I'm looking at graduate schools right now and I'm wondering what your experience is with Geography degrees and city planning jobs? I know there is a lot of over-lap and I plan on attending a college that has both a city planning degree and a geography degree, but I especially need funding -- thus, geography gets much more funding for research than a city planning department would, especially if it's under an architecture school.

[@CityBeautiful]

I don't know much about how geography majors fare in the city planning job market, but you are right that there is a lot of overlap. Try to get a city planning internship in graduate school -- it will help employers know that you're serious about planning, even with a geography degree. Take any planning classes you can, too. Good luck!

[@mrfacques]

If you are planning to work in the public sector, you should definitely go for an urban planning degree. There are a lot of municipalities that will not consider you for a job because you don't meet the requirements that they have posted, even if you have experience working in the field. Not all municipalities will be that strict, but it does happen. If you don't mind working private sector and can get funding, you should definitely go for geography. Regardless of which degree you do, just make sure that you take classes that will give you hard skills, such as GIS or maybe even some computer programming. Since I graduated from school in 2010, every single job that I was able to get was because I knew GIS. After graduation, a lot of the people in my cohort who only knew how to write reports and do research were forced to take jobs that were totally unrelated to planning.

[@lukejaraczeski6126]

Is civil engineering a possible undergraduate pathway to a planning degree?

[@TheSpecialJ11]

0:33 Oh hey that's the city next to mine with the downtown you would go to for fancy dates. Their downtown is a good example of zoning for large suburban cities...but the area right around downtown is more or less cute single family homes getting turned into McMansions, slowly killing the walkability surrounding downtown, which is a shame.

[@SamuelGarcia-rf4th]

I want to go into trail planning, have a masters in urban planning, but have been told that folks want landscape architecture degrees. What skills specifically are they looking for from M.Arch that planners don't typically have? I have also interned for environmental, land-use, and transportation public agencies already.

[@CityBeautiful]

Folks with landscape architecture or architecture degrees are expected to have a solid knowledge of design tools, which may include Adobe Creative Suite, CAD software, 3D modeling software. Additionally they may have good hand drawing skills. People with those degrees also have spent time honing their design process, which is a different way of thinking about and solving problems. So often they have a different perspective than planners.

[@Blaze1204]

Recently I graduated with a degree in Geography and Environmental studies and am looking at becoming a planner. I had highlighted on my resume some classes that emphasis city planning. I am wondering is that enough to get a job as a planner? I don't have the work experience because I never thought about getting an internship as a student and most jobs that I have applied for want an urban and rural planning degree. They do say related field so I am hoping they look at what I got. I don't have any of the programs that they put on the job ad like AutoCAD. So I was also wondering do I need to go back to school to get a planning diploma? I do live in Canada so it might be a little different but I am hoping you can solve my questions.

[@CityBeautiful]

Hi Chad! Geography and environmental studies are definitely related degrees. As for whether or not that's enough to get a job as a planners, that's up to those who are hiring. I would definitely recommend applying for a few jobs. If you don't get them, you could always email the people doing the hiring and ask what was missing from your resume that might have made you a more competitive candidate. Some may not reply, but there are a lot of people out there willing to help out someone new to the field. You may also consider doing an internship now to build up experience. Good luck!

[@Christo4.n]

Chad - A relative of mine has a Geography degree and worked as a city planner, so it must be possible in some circumstances. She got the job through working as an intern with the city.

[@calvinbaII]

Chad, try looking for work in a rural community. You'd be surprised how few applicants they get as planner 'types' tend to be inner-city yuppies (sorry if that sounds derogatory, that's from my experience). You could get a couple years experience and then move to a larger city with more interesting opportunities down the road.

[@gabrielking1247]

when u dont live in the usa so this just confused you ._.