Professional Development

Photo of Bruce Stiftel as a young man standing in front of a green chalkboard

Youth, Inexperience, and a Sense of Mission

Forty years ago this week, I arrived in Tallahassee to take my first full-time university job. It was a nervous moment. After nearly eight years of graduate school, I was about to learn if I was any good at the career I'd prepared so long to begin.

August 10, 2023 - Bruce Stiftel

Aerial view of beach bike path and palm trees in Santa Monica, California

Podcast Shows Urban Planning Is Anything But Dull

“Urban Planning is Not Boring” is a podcast created by USC alumni Samantha Ellman and Natalie Ikhrata which highlights just how fascinating the field of planning can be.

July 7, 2023 - The Daily Trojan

Graduation Ceremony

Resumes and Cover Letters for Future Planners

A number of entry-level planners make tactical choices that lessen their chances of landing the best possible job. If you see yourself in these, please take note.

July 6, 2018 - Bruce Stiftel

Map Kid

Innovations in Post-Master's Graduate Planning Education

Professional doctorates or certificates of advanced graduate study (CAGS) can offer an alternative to a PH.D. for planners looking to expand their education beyond the master's degree.

November 14, 2016 - Justin B. Hollander and Amanda Kohn

Seattle APA National Conference

Twelve 'Can't Miss' Planning and Design Conferences in 2017

L.A. County Planner Clement Lau issues his annual list of his favorite conferences for urban design professionals in the upcoming year.

November 12, 2016 - UrbDeZine

Looking for a Planning Job? Practice the Art of the Interview

Urban planning students at University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill’s Department of City and Regional Planning recently participated in a valuable career–building workshop: the mock interview. Below are tips on how to organize a similar event.

April 17, 2016 - North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association

Ten Planning Career Growth New Year's Resolutions for 2016

Planner Clement Lau shares his New Year's resolutions: ten professional development and career growth goals for planners and urban design professionals.

January 20, 2016 - UrbDeZine

So You Want To Be a Certified Planner?

While planning seems more intuitive than technical to many the layperson, Los Angeles planner Clement Lau describes what it takes to stay at the top of the profession.

November 15, 2012 - UrbDeZine.com

The Changing Business of Planning

July 24, 2012 - Laurel Prevetti

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.