What do planners do? How can I connect?
- American Planning Association - What is planning? - What do planners do? Become a student member, find local chapters or divisions of special interests within the field of planning
- What is urban planning? - Here's a 6-minute video that gives a concise, clear explanation of what planners do. Produced by Planetizen/Planetizen Learning
- Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning Career Guide - Informational brochure and links to additional resources
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics -- Employment outlook, pay, preparation, related careers and more
Environmental planning
- Environmental Science.org -- What does an environmental planner do? Where does an environmental planner work? and more
- Arizona Association of Environmental Professionals - Join the group's listserv to be aware of local events and meet environmental planners
- National Association of Environmental Professsionals - Not in Arizona? Find your local chapter
Career advice
- Video: Careers in Urban and Environmental Planning - Panel discussion from ASU Planning Career Fair 2019, with Greg Davies (Senior Transportation Planner, City of Scottsdale), Nancy Favour (Environmental Planner, US Bureau of Land Management), Lyssa Hall (Planner, Espiritu Loci) and Carol Hu (Director of Research & Strategy, Greater Phoenix Economic Council)
- Career Advice for Emerging Planners - Here's career advice based on a survey of 834 planners across the US (conducted by the Arizona chapter of the American Planning Association)
- ASU's Career and Professional Development Services - Explore your interests, get advice on all aspects of building a career and searching for a job or internship
Meet our urban planning alumni
“Jump on opportunities that come your way. Whether it's a class, internship or career fair, it can shape the vision for your career path and lead to new connections that will expand your professional network.”
Marcela Mora-Yatko, Planning Consultant, Gilbert Blilie PLLC
BS Planning and BA Sustainability, GIS Certificate, 2015
Marcela is a planning consultant at Gilbert Billie PLLC, a law firm specializing in zoning regulation and real estate development. In her role, she works with property owners, developers and municipal planners across multiple jurisdictions in the Phoenix area to secure development entitlements. Marcela works on processes for rezonings, general plan amendments, site plan approvals, use permits, variances, and other necessary entitlements for development. Marcela previously worked at a planning and engineering consulting firm, Matrix Design Group. She started her professional experience with internships at the City of Phoenix while pursuing her degrees at ASU.
“I love working as a development planner for the National Park Service. It gives me the ability to address the urban and natural interface necessary to help communities achieve their goals."
Brandon Stocksdale, Community Planner, National Park Service
MUEP 2014
Brandon works in Orem, Utah, as part of the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program team. By partnering with community groups, nonprofit organizations, tribes, and state and local governments, this program enables communities to conserve and protect more than 50,000 acres of parkland, wildlife habitat, and open space each year. Brandon specializes in developing urban-natural boundary protection solutions for the program and designing community conservation opportunities and outdoor recreation projects.
"My experiences and education at ASU have prepared me to lead my team and work in an interdisciplinary, small-town local government."
Andrew Rogge, Community Development Director, City of Sheridan, CO
BS Planning 2016
As a Community Development Director, Andrew oversees the current planning, long-range planning, and building department functions of the City of Sheridan, in metro Denver. His small-but-nimble team has led Sheridan through the development of a 149-unit affordable housing complex, acquisition of property and design for a new creekside park, and the creation of the city's first-ever sustainability plan. The variety of projects available in a small-town, urban environment makes every day a new and exciting challenge.
“My current position challenges me to find solutions to financial, political, and cultural barriers and applies a multitude of the principles that I studied at ASU."
Lynn Coppedge, Sustainability Planner, City of Lakewood, CO
BSP 2013, MUEP 2014 (4+1)
Working as a sustainability planner for the City of Lakewood, Lynn develops creative programs and outreach events to help make Lakewood a better place to live. Coppedge discovered the 4+1 program while pursuing a double major in urban planning and sustainability. She cites several key experiences that allowed her to make quick strides in her chosen field – the mentorship program that pairs planning students with professional planners, her internship, and the capstone project she completed in her last semester.
"My time at ASU not only deepened my understanding of urban planning principles but also instilled a commitment to public service and community impact, which continues to drive my professional journey."
Scott Lau, Emergency Functions Branch Chief, Caltrans
BSP Urban Planning, 2017
My education at ASU’s School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning provided the foundation for my career in urban planning and transportation. While pursuing my degree as an online student, I worked for the California Department of Housing and Community Development, which allowed me to immediately apply the concepts I was learning in real-world scenarios. After graduating, I began my career as a Transportation Planner with Caltrans at the local office in Fresno, where I reviewed development proposals, managed grants, and utilized the GIS skills I acquired at ASU. The comprehensive education I received was pivotal in preparing me for these responsibilities. Today, I serve as the Emergency Functions Branch Chief at Caltrans Headquarters, where I oversee statewide emergency response efforts.