I need to arm myself with info on Urban & Regional Planning

[tulip]

Congratulations on getting into the program! The best source for books is from the syllabus for your program, or the planning library if they have one. I was trained in the US, and my experience in Europe taught me that although the big concepts are universal, there are many aspects of planning that are not transferable to another country. So books I might suggest might not be suitable for you in Australia.

What areas of planning are you interested in? Of course, you will be exposed to alot of new stuff in school, and that is how it should be. Go in with open eyes and mind and see what you like.

If at all possible, I would suggest not working at least for the first semester in order to put as much of yourself as possible into your studies and to figure out what subtopics you are interested in. No sense in working in a housing finance agency if you are really interested in wetlands management, for example. If you must work (and I had to), the program that you will be attending will have good sources for part-time jobs in the field. Once you are comfortable with your studies, then working part time and during the breaks is a great way to make professional contacts and learn about what it's like in the 'real world'.

Lifesgreat mentioned cyburbia--lots of good sources and links, although a bit overwhelming at first.

It's great to prepare for informational interviews to get information about a firm, topic area, or whatever. It might even lead to a job, but the point is to network and get information. I'd definitely suggest setting up some informational interviews and see where they lead you.

[Lifesgreat]

Lifesgreat mentioned cyburbia--lots of good sources and links, although a bit overwhelming at first.

I second that! Forgot to mention it in my original post. Just take a few little swims in it before jumping into the deep end. . .

Should you get a non-planning job in a planning company, to learn about the profession? I think that depends on the company. Is the company doing what you want to do, or is it just a "planning company"? DH's law firm hires pre-law students as receptionists (guys and girls) and then the lawyers try to talk them out of law school. It has only worked once. However, it has been really valuable experience for the students.



Most of my experience is more "what to do with a planning degree that isn't really in planning". It comes in handy all over the place.

[crazycanuck]

Tulip-Yep, I understand that some of the concepts might not be universal. I would however like to be able to use my degree in another country if we move again.

I don't know of a specific area of planning i'm interested in but..something do to with transport planning(cycle friendly cities) & sustainability catches my eye.

I'm only able to do one or courses at the moment as we don't want to go without a second income. I am still working out the timetable online.

I just spoke to a gent at our Co's Planning branch & was given some good info. He's a recent grad of the same uni degree & was told that it's really easy to get a job in a local gov't planning in Western Australia.

Thanks

C
Feel free to send me an email.

[tulip]

CC, I sent you an email. If you don't get it for some reason, let me know.

[pinkbikes]

Hi crazycanuck. I work for the Main Roads Department in Qld and we hire quite a few urban planners in our planning sections. We have hired many of them as part time students and they have had great on-the-job learning opportunities there, progressing on to graduate positions when they finish their studies.

The down side of working in transport (and cycleway networks are a part of their brief in our joint) is that it is only a narrow sector of urban planning, and probably not our most mainstream career path (it's engineer world) so it can be a little bit limiting if your desire is to progress far and fast as a "townplanner" in the traditional council sense.

Anyways, you might like to check out WA's Main Roads Dept and see if they have anything going for a planning student?

Good luck with the studies...

[crazycanuck]

Pinkbikes-i've been given so many links to look at the Dept of Planning & Inf, Local Gov''t jobs, Cyburbia(cool link!!! Thanks ladies!!) and others that i'll scour for info. I'm not even sure of the exact path I want to go down..

My company is cool about me going part time & don't want to leave quite yet. I'd like to see what happens if i send my CV to our company's planning arm. I am asking everyone I know if they know anyone that's in the planning game..

Thanks again

C