Community and Regional Planning
What Can I Do In My Major?
Overview
Planning is a dynamic profession that works to improve the welfare of people and their communities by creating more convenient, equitable, healthful, efficient and attractive places for present and future generations. It helps communities find the right balance of new development and essential services, environmental protection and innovative change. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recognizes this as a growing career field.
In Appalachian State University’s Community and Regional Planning (BS) program, you will learn to research, design and develop programs that help a community or region reach its goals. The work of community and regional planners includes policy recommendations, economic development strategic plans, neighborhood plans, regulatory and incentive strategies, historic preservation or redevelopment plans, smart growth strategies and disaster preparedness plans.
Related Careers
Agricultural Extension Agent
Coastal Zone Manager*
Community Development Coordinator/Manager*
Environmental Impact Analyst*
Facilities Planner
Geographic Area Specialist
Grant Writer
Hazardous Waste Planner
Industrial Planner
Land-Use Analyst
Natural Resources Specialist
Outdoor Guide
Park Ranger
Planning/Development Director*
Planning Technician
Property Manager
Public Utilities Specialist
Remote Sensing Analyst
Site Researcher
Surveyor
Systems Analyst
Traffic Manager
Transportation Analyst
Urban/Regional Planner
Zoning Administrator
*additional experience or advanced degree required
Related Major Skills
Computer modeling
Conduct field studies
Develop project designs
Evaluation
Examine data
Gather & organize data
Identify value systems
Interviewing skills
Maintain records
Observe human interactions Plan long-term projects
Present/defend position
Read/construct maps/graphs
Recognize similarities
Summarize results
Surveying & sampling
Understand group dynamics
Understand societies
Utilize statistical applications
Write clearly
Internship Opportunities
Appalachian Conservation Corps.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
ASU Energy Center
Blue Ridge Conservancy
Charleston County (SC) Zoning and Planning
City of Mount Holly
City of Winston-Salem
Cornelius Planning Department
Global Frontier Missions
Grandfather Mountain
Missouri Department of Transportation
Mt. Jefferson State Natural Area
NC Office of State Archaeology
Piedmont Natural Gas
Research Institute of Environment
Site Marker LLC
Thrive Regional Partnership
Town of Boone
Town of Indian Trail Village of Marvin Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Western Youth Network
Watauga Human Society
Employers of AppState grads
AECOM
Appalachian Regional Commission
Auric Solar
Aurora Engineers
Carolina AGC
CGI
City Of Asheville
City Of Boulder
City Of Shelby North Carolina
City Of Winston-salem Full-time
County Of Currituck
Duke Energy
FEMA
Georgia Department Of Transportation
HNTB
Humane Society of Charlotte
Jemsite Development LLC
NC Department of Transportation
SAS
Scale
Sierra Club
Stantec
TomTom
Town Of Cornelius
Trinity Solar
Various local/town/city government
Preparing for Your Career
• Develop excellent interpersonal skills to work with diverse populations
• Look for internships and jobs in to gain knowledge and experience
• Participation in internships and summer jobs in a relevant setting
How can I know if a Community & Regional Planning degree is right for me?
• Complete a self-assessment inventory at the Career Exploration Office in the Student Union to see how your interests, values, and personality match this major and related career fields.
• Schedule an appointment with a career counselor on careers.appstate.edu/Handshake
• Obtain direct experience by doing a job shadow
• Conduct an informational interview with a professional in the field
For more information on careers & job outlook: onetonline.org
Professional Organizations and Associations
American Geographical Society