Opportunities in Urban Studies & Planning
- Skills and Abilities
- Possible Fields
- Sampling of Careers of MIT DUSP Alumni
- Print Resources
- Web Resources
- Salary Information
- Next Steps
Skills and Abilities
- Researching
- Interpreting information
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Organizing projects and programs
- Analyzing components of complex problems
- Designing programs
- Synthesizing complex issues
- Understanding planning research
- Analyzing policy
- Creative thinking
- Making decisions
- Facilitating group dialogue
- Presenting ideas and information clearly, both orally and in writing
- Managing people, processes & projects
Possible Fields
- Real Estate
- Education
- Public Policy/LawEnvironmental Policy & Planning
- Non-profit Management
- Urban Planning and Design
- Economic Development
- International Development
- Neighborhood/CommunityDevelopment
- Healthcare
- Social Services
- Public Administration
Sampling of Careers of MIT DUSP Alumni
- Senior Project Officer, World Bank
- Director, Greater Boston Housing Institute
- Development Manager, NYC's Mayor's Office
- Analyst, Abt Associates
- Principal Officer, UN Environmental Programs
- Director, Community Art Center
- Community Planning Director
- Senior Research Officer, National Housing Trust
- Project Manager, Capital Planning
- Administrator, Peace Corps
- Dir. Of Health Care Programs, Industrial Coop. Assoc.
- Environmental Mediator, RESOLVE
- Director of Economic Development, DC Housing Authority
- Policy Analyst, Senate Committee for International Trade (TX)
Print Resources
A number of these resources can be found in the Dewey or Rotch libraries, the Library in the MIT Careers Office, and the Boston Public Library.
The Complete Guide to Public Employment. Manses, CA: Impact Publications
Profitable Careers in Nonprofit. New York: Wily & Sons
Careers in the NonProfit Sector: Doing Well by Doing Good, Washington, DC: Office of Personnel Management
Almanac of Government Jobs and Careers. Woodbridge, VA: Impact Publications
International Careers. Charlotte. Charlotte, VT: Williamson Publishing
Management Consulting Career Guide. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Business School Press
Occupational Outlook Handbook. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office
United States Government Manual. Washington DC: Federal Register Publications.
The National Ad Search - The National Employment Business Guide. Milwaukee, WI: National Ad Search, Inc
United States Office of Personnel Management Listings. Indianapolis, IN: Indianapolis Service Center
Community Jobs - The Employment Newspaper for the NonProfit Sector. Boston, MA: Access.
National Employment Listing Service. Huntsville, TX. Criminal Justice Center, Sam Houston State University
International Employment Hotline. Oakton, VA: International Employment Hotline, Inc.
Web Resources
Cyburbia, is the Internet's oldest portal and social networking site for urban planners and others interested in cities and the built environment.
http://www.cyburbia.org/
Policy Analysis - Online Resources:
http://web.mit.edu/career/www/graduate/fieldpolicy.html
International Development, NGO's, and Related Careers -
http://web.mit.edu/career/www/graduate/fieldinfo.html#international
Salary Information
American Planning Association
http://www.planning.org/ (select - "Jobs and Careers" and then select "salary survey" - http://www.planning.org/salary/)
The Rotch Library has The 2005 AIA Compensation Report.
Next Steps
Read and research. The following list of publications and websites should help you get started.
Test it. Try out the industry or profession through internships, UROP, volunteer, relevant course work, involvement in a related student organization.
Talk to people. Learn about an industry or profession by talking with faculty, and at career fairs, panels, professional conferences, or through ICAN (MIT's alumni network).
Attend MITCO Career Development Workshops and call (617) 253-4733or visit to make an appointment to meet with a career counselor.
Last updated on Monday, September 18, 06 at 01:28:13 PM EDT.
