Blogs

May 15, 2018

5 Scenarios for "Reading" Your Supervisor

A "Guide for the Idealist" blog post: An important career management ability is to see circumstances and issues through your supervisor’s eyes. They are not only managing you, they are managing a process.

April 30, 2018

Finding Your Way to the Best Planning Job

A "Guide for the Idealist" blog post: Choosing from among a variety of planning jobs can be made easier by doing research and assessing the employer.

April 23, 2018

Tips and Services for Advancement at the NPC18 Career Zone

From networking tips to job interviews, from professional headshots to leadership training, attendees at the 2018 National Planning Conference had a variety of opportunities.

April 5, 2018

Diving in to Leadership With Purpose

The Planning Leadership Institute is a full day of intensive training and professional reflection designed to provide the skills and mindsets planning professionals need.

April 5, 2018

Planning Management Institute: Your Once-a-Year Opportunity

The Planning Management Institute provides an intensive, interactive developmental opportunity at NPC18 for people who manage, or will soon manage a public or private-sector planning department.

March 26, 2018

Trust: A Must-Have for Credibility, Influence, and Power

A "Guide for the Idealist" blog post: Trust is a prerequisite to credibility, influence, and power and underlies effectiveness in your role as a planner.

March 19, 2018

The Simple Joy of Being a Mentor

Pete Pointner, FAICP, shares his thoughts on the benefits of mentoring for those who mentor and those who are mentored.

March 5, 2018

Credibility, Influence, and Power: How to Get It, How to Use It

A "Guide for the Idealist" blog post: How do you identify and integrate credibility, influence, and power in your career?

January 28, 2018

The Value of College Internships

Student Internships can bring you closer to your goal of finding employment in the planning field.

January 8, 2018

Theories of Change and Your Planning Career

A "Guide for the Idealist" blog post: How do planning theories of change affect planners both personally and professionally?

November 27, 2017

Planning Theory: What Is It Good For?

A "Guide for the Idealist" blog post: Think of planning theories as tools rather than expressions of truth.

October 30, 2017

Mentoring and the Planning Fountain of Youth

"A Guide for the Idealist" blog post: Rick Willson speaks to his peers on why they should consider mentoring. The benefits include growth for both parties.

October 16, 2017

Celebrate Careers in Planning

Career Service offerings from APA to help celebrate National Community Planning Month. #PlanningMonth

October 15, 2017

Make the Most of the AICP Candidate Pilot Program with a Mentor

Thinking of joining the AICP Candidate Pilot Program? Hear from a fellow young planner about the value of mentoring, an optional aspect of the program, and how to get the most out of your experience.

August 27, 2017

Get Involved in AICP Early!

The new AICP Candidate Pilot Program provides a path to start the process to earn the prestigious AICP Certification earlier.

August 14, 2017

Can I Work Part-Time as a Planner?

A "Guide for the Idealist" blog post: Answers to a member's question about part-time planning jobs, exploring the difference between permanent part-time work and gig-type employment.

July 25, 2017

Should I Start a Consulting Firm?

"A Guide for the Idealist" blog post: Some essential questions to ask yourself to determine your competitive advantage. There are risks involved in going on your own, but also great rewards.

July 16, 2017

Fellowships Are Out There for Planners Like You

Wayne Feiden, FAICP, offers suggestions for mid- to senior-level planners on the process of winning a fellowship.

July 6, 2017

Strategies for the Delayed Career Launch

"A Guide for the Idealist" blog post: Rick Willson, FAICP, gives encouraging advice to recent grads who are finding it hard to launch their planning careers.

June 19, 2017

What Can a Mentor Really Do for Your Career?

"A Guide for the Idealist" blog post: Idealist planners consider a mentoring relationship, mentors aren’t a prerequisite for success, but they provide valuable help.

May 29, 2017

Organizational Dos and Don’ts for Your Career

"A Guide for the Idealist" blog post: Idealist planners should start their careers with a basic set of behaviors and then modify them to fit their workplace.

May 9, 2017

Making Planning Teams Work

"A Guide for the Idealist" blog post: Idealist planners work in teams, across disciplines and within planning. What are the basics of being a good team member?

May 7, 2017

Connecting with Planning's Next Generation

Cynthia Hoyle, FAICP, reflects on the benefits of mentoring young planners and shares some advice.

April 30, 2017

Inside Look: George Benson

In the seventh and final post of this series, SRC Region V representative George Benson has the microphone turned on him, being interviewed by Region VI representative Lance MacNiven about being involved in APA as a Canadian, climate change, and resiliency planning.

April 24, 2017

How to Recognize (and Respond to) an Organization's Culture

"A Guide for the Idealist" blog post: Idealist planners succeed by understanding and adapting to an organization’s culture, whether it is a bureaucracy or a nonprofit.

April 24, 2017

Resume Tips and Slips

Writing a resume is a vital part of the job search and the most nerve-wracking.

April 23, 2017

Inside Look: Sophee Payne

In the sixth post of this series, SRC Region V representative George Benson discusses networking opportunities through APA and the SRC, challenges facing the planning profession, and the value of involvement in APA with SRC Region III representative Sophee Payne.

April 13, 2017

Inside Look: Anna Ma

In the fifth post of this series, SRC Region V representative George Benson discusses emerging planning issues, the importance of collaboration, and the value of involvement in APA with SRC Region IV representative Anna Ma.

March 29, 2017

Planning and Health: How Two Members Got Their Start

Grace Kyung, MPH, and Fred Neal, Jr., AICP, recently exchanged stories about their interest in the intersection of planning and health, their current work, and how other APA members can get involved.

March 27, 2017

Don't Get Along With Your Manager? Try Tolerance

"A Guide for the Idealist" blog post: Understanding your manager's point of view is a step in creating a positive and productive relationship with your boss.

March 20, 2017

Mentor Match with Elizabeth 'Libby' Tyler, FAICP

Veteran planner Elizabeth Libby Tyler, FAICP, answers questions about the mentoring advice she gives to young planners.

March 20, 2017

Inside Look: Shelley Price

SRC Region V representative George Benson interviews SRC Region II representative Shelley Price on customer-oriented decision making in planning, her inolvement with APA and the SRC, and why she loves APA conferences.

March 19, 2017

6 Can’t Miss Events at the NPC17 Career Zone

The Career Zone at NPC17 has resources, interactive activities, and sessions to support your career. Here are six events to be sure not to miss while in New York City for the 2017 National Planning Conference.

March 13, 2017

Avoiding Wrong

"A Guide for the Idealist" blog post: An ethical judgment often requires a conscientious balancing. The AICP Code of Ethics provides guidance for professional behavior.

March 12, 2017

How Mentor Match at NPC Helped Lead to a Job Offer

APA member Matthew Nahrstedt shares his personal experience with the Mentor Match at the National Planning Conference and how it led him to finding his first job.

March 12, 2017

Inside Look: Paige Peltzer

In the second post of this series, SRC Region V representative George Benson interviews SRC Region I representative Paige Peltzer on her planning story, how she got involved with APA and the SRC, and why others should too.

March 5, 2017

Mentor Match with Kurt Christiansen, FAICP

Veteran planner Kurt Christiansen, FAICP, answers questions about his personal style and advice he gives to young planners.

February 27, 2017

Am I Making a Difference?

"A Guide for the Idealist" blog post: As your career proceeds, the impacts of your work will be more clearly seen.

February 27, 2017

3 Short Steps to Great Public Speaking

Presenting information to groups of people is a fundamental part of being a planner. APA member Michael Blue, FAICP, gives his tips for giving a successful presentation.

February 26, 2017

Inside Look: Ellen Forthofer

George Benson interviews SRC Chair Ellen Forthofer on her journey toward becoming a planner, how she got involved with APA and the SRC, and why others should, too.

February 13, 2017

Making Mentorship Part of Your Career

Alissa Torres, AICP, shares thought on how to mentor other planners no matter where you may be in your own career journey.

February 13, 2017

Steering a Career Between Your 'Right' Answer and Reality

"A Guide for the Idealist" blog post: What happens when the idealist planner knows the “right” answer but encounters political, economic, or administrative resistance?

January 30, 2017

Career Plans Are Useless

"A Guide for the Idealist" blog post: You can’t control the trajectory of your career, but you can increase your probability of success with the right mindset.

January 23, 2017

167 Bus Passes and Making a Difference

Planners have unique opportunities to volunteer in communities with the added bonus of reigniting passion on the job. Alissa Torres, AICP shares some ideas that have worked for her.

January 16, 2017

I'm No Regulator — I'm Creative!

"A Guide for the Idealist" blog post: Offering planners ideas on how to exercise creativity even if their current job seems mundane.

January 3, 2017

Everything You Need to Know About the AICP Certification Exam Update

Beginning in May 2017, testers will be taking an updated the AICP Certification Exam. Learn everything you need to know about the AICP Certification Exam Update.

January 2, 2017

'Principled Adaptability' Blends Realism and Idealism at Work

A "Guide to the Idealist" blog post: A "principled adaptability" work style addresses the tension between idealism and realism, a balance that's needed to remain grounded in principle and engaged in day-to-day work.