Overview

Are you a "Big Thinker"? Do you enjoy planning out imaginary cities, highways or transportation systems? Could you see yourself designing huge buildings or other structures? Do you like the idea of having to figure out how complicated systems work? Then you might like a career in government and city planning!

On this page you can learn more about careers in this area and where you can obtain training or educational experience. ​
TOP RIASEC Categories: Conventional, Enterprising
CTE Industry Sector: Engineering and Architecture

Intro Video

NEW: Career Ideas based on RIASEC Score 

  • Realistic: Urban Forester, Building Inspector, Public Works Technician, Surveyor, Environmental Technician
  • Investigative: Policy Analyst, Urban Planner, Environmental Planner, Transportation Planner, Economic Development Officer
  • Artistic: Graphic Designer (Government Publications), Urban Designer, Community Arts Coordinator, Landscape Architect, Historic Preservationist
  • Social: Community Development Specialist, Social Services Director, Public Health Educator, Housing Coordinator, Voter Outreach Coordinator
  • Enterprising: Mayor, City Manager, Economic Development Director, Public Relations Officer, Government Affairs Director
  • Conventional: Government Clerk, Zoning Technician, City Budget Analyst, Records Manager, Legislative Assistant

Get Experience Now!

You can get experience in this field in the following ways:
  • Find your city's main website and contact the Public Works department, City Manager or Community Development Department and find out how you might learn more about what they do! For example, here is the City of Chico website: https://chico.ca.us/chico.ca.us/
  • Go to a city council meeting! Find out when your local city council meets by researching on the web. Here is the website for the Chico City Council: https://chico.ca.us/city-council 
  • Model United Nations (MUN): Participate in MUN or similar clubs to understand international relations and governmental structures.
  • Attend workshops or seminars on urban planning or smart cities to learn about the challenges and solutions in city planning.
  • Engage in student government to get practical experience in how decisions are made and the importance of policy and planning.
  • Get involved in local community service to understand the needs of a community and how government initiatives can make an impact.
  • Reach out to a business or organization in the career area you are interested in and ask for information on what the job is really like and what type of education or experience is recommended. 

Career Videos

Urban and Regional Planners
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Logistics Managers
Civil Engineer