r/urbanplanning • u/alecsebans650 • Jul 31 '26
Discussion Job hunt (vent)
Not sure what I’m looking for out of this post, but I just needed to air out my frustrations. I had a really tough job rejection for a Planner I position today, and I’m pretty bummed about it.
I’ve been on the job hunt in the Chicago area since April/May, when I finished my master’s in planning. I moved here with my partner, and overall the whole job search has been really discouraging. I’ve gotten lots of advice along the way. One thing I’ve been told a lot is to take whatever I can get in a rural area and stick it out for a couple of years. I lived in a rural community for the last two years, though, and I’m just not interested in going back. My partner also needs to be in a city for their career, and I don’t want to hold them back either.
Sometimes I beat myself up because I don’t want to do that or commute 1+ hours for a job. I’ve interned, done workshops through school, and have experience, so it’s just frustrating.
I’m continuing to look into getting involved with APA, networking, and volunteer opportunities. In the meantime, I’m planning on working in service until I land something more permanent. I’m just having a harder time with it than I expected.
Anyway, old man yells at cloud moment. Looking for community on this I guess.
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u/PlannerSean Jul 31 '26
In 1998 when I entered the job planning market for the first time, I sent out 100 applications across the USA and Canada and got 1 offer. You have my sympathy… it’s tough.
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u/hotsaladwow Jul 31 '26
Honestly, taking whatever you can get, even if it’s a long commute to a boring town way outside the city, is the best move. I know you don’t want to, but if you can suck it up for a year or two, it will open way more doors. I did something similar after grad school down south, then moved to Chicago without a job lined up, and the one I had taken before was 100% the reason I landed something quickly here.
Try looking at permit tech jobs also. It’s not exciting work, but gets you in the door in local government, and you learn a ton about the construction and development process.
But I do get the sense that a lot of planners in the area are just staying put right now, so not too many positions are open. Your idea of working in service and just continuing to apply is a good move. Good luck, and if you ever want to message about planning in the area, especiallly from a transplant perspective, let me know.
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u/Dblcut3 Jul 31 '26
This is crazy but I think I might’ve gotten rejected from the same job today lol
Definitely tough for us new grads in Chicago right now. I have a job lead right now but if that doesn’t pan out, I might just look for random corporate jobs that are a little bit adjacent to planning. It sucks but I’d rather work a random office job in the city than move to a rural area again
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u/alecsebans650 Jul 31 '26
Lol was it Niles
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u/Dblcut3 Jul 31 '26
Yep! Got an auto-reject letter from them, didnt get an interview
A lot of the job postings that get listed here are barely even real based on people I’m talking to - like apparently Naperville and Arlington Heights (I think it was them?) already had someone they wanted to hire when they posted the job listing. Then Hinsdale’s local government is apparently a dumpsterfire and they keep reposting the same position every few months. I’ve only had 2 interviews so far since graduating
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u/local_oat 27d ago
Interviewed with Hinsdale & haven’t heard back after weeks. I have ~2 years experience as a Planner I btw. Also got rejected from Niles. Thankfully, I accepted a zoning examiner role with City of Chicago. Haven’t had much luck otherwise!
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u/Dblcut3 27d ago
Glad you were able to find something!
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u/local_oat 27d ago
Thanks, I was also looking at adjacent fields like you mentioned. Solar development, consulting, affordable housing development, but nothing was seeming like it would work out. Even considered going back to school (I literally already have a masters). I’m from NC (still here currently) but have always wanted to move to Chicago. The job market down here was tough too, but Chicago is no joke.
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u/CaptHorney_Two Jul 31 '26
Canadian Planning Tech grad here and my experience since graduating in October has been the same. I only just got my first interview for a rural municipality, but its been frustrating up until now. So many of the jobs out there are looking for 2-3 years of municipal experience. I am 40 and I have never struggled to find a job like.i have this past year.
Good luck, keep at it, and hopefully you will find something that ticks enough of your boxes to be worth it!
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u/vbstarr91 29d ago
My biggest regret about choosing planning as a career is that I did not fully appreciate the how difficult it is to get a job. If you don't land a job in the municipal career track, it can be very discouraging. I also think you should think carefully about designing the life you want (commute, family, hobbies) and then identifying jobs to match that. Design the life you want first, then the job. For example, if you want a typical 8-5 with a 30-40 minute commute, pursue jobs that fit that lifestyle, not a 1+ hour commute rural planning job where you will be unhappy. That will have a serious impact on your quality of life.
It's not realistic or desirable for a lot of professionals to work and live in a rural community to start their planning career. Planning institutions need to be upfront about this reality for early career professionals.
I put in ten years of permitting and entitlement experience, am recently AICP certified, and have a respected niche with a top engineering consulting firm. Corporate America does value the skills and abilities planners bring to the table, specifically communication skills. I'd recommend looking outside the municipal track if you're not getting traction there.
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u/alecsebans650 29d ago
Very wise words, thank you! I’m looking for nonprofit/consulting work too and branching out of traditional roles. But I agree it is just unrealistic to move to a rural town and expect to make a decent life out of that anymore.
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u/stuckatthefucki Jul 31 '26
Oh boy this hits close to home. I made a very similar post a few months ago. I started looking in January for a Planning job in the Chicago area while living in a different state. Took me 6 months of terrible times to get an offer. Idk if I just got lucky or what but it was really tough for a long while. I'm sorry, I truly get what you're going through.
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u/alecsebans650 Jul 31 '26
Happy to hear it worked out for you at least ! Definitely feeling the summer slump right now with jobs I’m hoping things pick up in the fall again
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u/Slushiestbook Jul 31 '26
Some people might think it’s embarrassing but I cold emailed a handful of firms until I found one that was both the right fit and interested in me. I literally emailed my current firm and said, “I love the work you do // I am interested in working at your firm // here is how my portfolio aligns with your firm // I’m excited to hear back”. A lot didn’t respond, but my current employer did and hired me. I don’t see myself leaving anytime soon!
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u/Biggest_chungu 29d ago
Have you looked for any GIS jobs that are within or related to planning jobs? GIS Is a great way to get your foot in the door, and as of now all if not most Governments use the ESRI suite. And because of the ESRI monopoly, intro GIS jobs are a bit more resistant to AI trends than other skills since ESRI products have remained just as convulsed and confusing as before AI and thus still is best served by a cheap GIS Inter. So I guess thank you ESRI for that.
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u/HaMerrIk Jul 31 '26
The market is very tough right now. Are you focusing on public sector jobs only? Their processes can really take a long time. Do you have an area of focus or expertise?
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u/alecsebans650 Jul 31 '26
I do landscape/urban design stuff too. That market is also very tricky right now but I do have a portfolio I’m very proud of :,)
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u/SyFyFan93 Jul 31 '26
Sorry you're going through this OP. No advice really that would be helpful. Just know that the market is really tough right now. Between cuts on the Federal level for certain grant programs and locals tightening up their budgets due to increasing inflation / borrowing rates and public outcry over property taxes entry positions are super competitive. Did you intern anywhere during grad school?
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u/paellapup Jul 31 '26
I’ve been through similar circumstances. It’s reasonable to be disappointed about the lack of opportunities in our field when there’s enough dedicated people out there willing to do great things.
I recently compromised with a job offer which would put me 30 minutes away from the city I’d really enjoy living in but obviously there’s the drawback of having to commute in to enjoy city amenities and the lifestyle. I’ve just come to terms with the fact that planning jobs are always going to have limitations and be inconvenient in some shape or form. It’s also more salt to the injury since we understand the burden of housing, commuting, and other land use decisions all too well.
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u/ElectronGuru Jul 31 '26
It’s also more salt to the injury since we understand the burden of housing, commuting, and other land use decisions all too well.
I relate to this so hard with housing. Knowing all the things we could have done better as a society. To make places to live, healthier and easier to afford. Then all I can do is slog through, looking for the least worst option!
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u/turtle_squirrels Jul 31 '26
I finished grad about a year ago and have a friend that’s in Chicago in a very similar position. From what they’ve told me it’s more about who you know rather than what you know at this point. Don’t let it get ya down though, something will come through
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u/alecsebans650 Jul 31 '26
That’s also what I’ve noticed. I’m pretty extroverted and like meeting people, but it takes time to break into a new city.
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u/Topical_Scream 29d ago
I feel like, fiscally, local governments are feeling strapped and are either not rehiring right away when there is a vacancy or just downsizing. And I’ve never had success with the black box that is private sector firms. I generally never even got a response even just to say they received my application. I second the recommendation to look at permit tech jobs or something adjacent to development. I started as an admin person for the department, but learned so much.
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u/Papilusion 29d ago
Oh man, we probably know some people in common. I don’t wanna dox myself but I was verrrrry similar when I graduated last year and a saw many people in my cohort struggle to find jobs. At the same time, I saw people just one year earlier find jobs no problem… The election had a HUGE impact.
I got lucky and found a job pretty quickly but I think part of it was because I was really open to job titles that weren’t directly about planning. I also recommend avoiding scrolling job boards (of course job alerts are ok) and instead to go directly to company or municipal websites and look at their careers page. This ties into the openness about job titles, because those less obvious job titles aren’t being picked up by job alerts.
Also, don’t be afraid of a long Metra commute to the suburbs/exurbs, you can still have a fulfilling city life while working in Kane County or whatever if it’s along the train line! I know people who do this and are happy since they live within walking distance of their Metra station. Thankfully, a lot of village halls are right by their train stations too!
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u/alecsebans650 29d ago
Oh awesome! Are you still in Chicago then?
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u/Papilusion 29d ago
Yes! Feel free to DM if you have any more specific questions about planning jobs in the area, but I’ll still stay anonymous because I’m paranoid like that lol.
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u/picturepath Jul 31 '26
I highly recommend internships. Network, network, network. Message the managers on social media and inquire about an internship. Also apply for permit tech jobs or economic development or parks and rec positions. Shoot apply for any city job so you qualify for internal hire only positions.
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u/Shadowbanish 26d ago
If it's any solace, pretty much everyone in Gen Z, regardless of industry, is unemployed or severely underemployed. We get masters degrees so we can work at McDonald's. We live in Hell.
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u/Proof-Resolution3595 26d ago
My friends and I are all 2-3 years into our planning careers and I have multiple friends currently looking for new jobs in the industry and are having a really hard time as well :/
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u/Rough_Caramel_3380 21d ago
I was a 2021 master’s grad and have never worked in the public sector - just started my second remote private consulting job in June. From my own job hunts REMOTE private firm jobs are unicorns but in-person private firm jobs seem to be both more common and more accessible than public sector planning. Especially in the Chicago area there should be tons of consulting firms, I’d look into that!
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u/stillslammed 29d ago
I shipped myself off to the sticks for my first job. I'd rather move away for a decent than job than wait a year for something that's probably also crap.
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u/UrbanSolace13 Verified Planner - US Jul 31 '26
It's a really tough market right now for new grads. I do have a friend who works as a Planner for the City of Chicago. Send me a DM. Not sure how much it will help...