Spring semester is always a busy time, especially as students begin to search for internships—a requirement of the MA/MS program—and post-graduation job opportunities. At UEP, students can find support for their internship and job searches in a variety of ways. Not only does the department host career and internship sessions during the spring semester, but also internship and employment opportunities can be found in UEP’s Off the Wall newsletter. As we are in the midst of internship and job search season, we wanted to highlight some of the regularly occurring UEP career support events and activities on the blog.
Internship Information Session
Each year, the Student Planning Association (SPA) works with the department to host a session on student internships for MA and MS-EPP students. Typically, the session features a panel of students who share about their internship experiences. You can see examples of places where UEP students have interned on the department website, but this year’s panel featured individuals who completed their internships with the New York City Department of Transportation, the offices of Boston City Councilors Michelle Wu and Lydia Edwards, the Town of Andover, the City of Lawrence, CivicMoxie, and COGdesign. Each panelist shared about how they found the internship, their work experience, and how it has fit into their career progression.
Sustainability Careers Workshop
The MS program in Sustainability also has an internship requirement and the department hosted a career workshop in partnership with the Tufts Career Center. Matthew Casey, Associate Director of Tufts Career Center, provided guidance on curriculum vitae and resume development, as well as tips on networking and interviews. Similarly, Sustainability MS students who already completed their internships shared their experiences with newer students, answering questions about the internship search process and their experiences in those roles.
AICP Certification Information Session
Finally, SPA and the UEP department’s American Planning Association (APA) student liaison host an information session each spring on American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification. The AICP provides verification of planners’ qualifications and is often sought after by employers in the field. In this session, students can learn about how to become a certified planner, a new test option for recent graduates, and scholarship opportunities.
Students find that these formal career development opportunities are an important resource. However, beyond these workshops, connecting with other students and UEP alumni is key to landing internship and employment opportunities. As an open and welcoming community, UEPers are often happy to discuss their experiences in the program, internships, work, and beyond.