ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a framework for considering the types of planning work available, going beyond simple classifications such as land use planner to the variety of ways that a land use planner effectuates change. More than in some professions, acquiring an education in urban and regional planning is just the first step in planners choosing their work. A planner could be a housing developer, work on zoning reform that supports housing development, create housing master plans, or generate housing finance solutions. Unfortunately, beginning planners often lack information about the nature of day-to-day work in the different subfields. Planners should test their aptitude and interest in management in school team projects and in their first years of professional work. The downside of the approach is less ability to scale-up reform because the work has to happen over and over again in every community.
