To work as a regional planner, a candidate must meet the requirements set forth by the city or community in which he or she wishes to work. A bachelor’s degree in a related field is required, and many cities and towns also require a master’s degree. Experts predict that regional planners will continue to be in high demand to help with the planning and execution of a wide range of projects that most rapidly growing urban and suburban areas will require. The majority of regional planners work standard 40-hour weeks and are frequently required to spend time both inside and outside during the various stages of planning. Those considering a career in this field should be aware that they will almost certainly be required to work outside in a variety of weather conditions.
People who want to be regional planners should be interested in and have a talent for the detailed work that goes into planning major development projects. These professionals are crucial in the construction of new stadiums, housing units, city building, roads, and a variety of other important urban developments. In many cases, these professionals are also responsible for ensuring that the projects comply with local sustainability and environmental regulations.
Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning is the first step toward becoming a regional planner. In many cases, the student will need to look for a larger college or university that offers this major. Political science, landscaping planning, and engineering will all be covered during this stage of the program. While a bachelor’s degree in regional planning is preferred, students with degrees in related fields like engineering or architecture may also be eligible for graduate level courses.
For local regional planner positions, many employers are now looking for candidates with a master’s degree. This is because there is a lot of competition and a lot of qualified people looking for jobs in this field. Accepted students in master’s programs can expect to build on their previous knowledge in civil engineering, geographic information systems, and finance. Candidates often find that after earning a related bachelor’s degree, they can complete the master’s level coursework in one to two years with little difficulty. Large cities, mid-sized towns, and rapidly growing urban areas may have openings for qualified regional planners.