Start your job search here

PLA students have access to highly-trained and professional career services offices. Make an appointment today to meet an advisor at SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science. SuccessWorks offers a wealth of resources and information, including basic professional development tools and tips.

Success in graduate school and beyond requires that you create a plan, take advantage of resources and opportunities to develop your skills, and explore career resources and options. By actively participating in professional development opportunities at UW–Madison, you will build the skills needed to continue to succeed academically, and to thrive in your chosen career.

The Writing Center is a great place to take a resume or cover letter to get some objective feedback. They also offer a number of excellent workshops related to both professional and academic writing.

The American Planning Association (APA) helps emerging planners gear up for the careers they want, begin here.

Visit our Alumni pages to connect with URPL and LA alumni.

CAREERS IN PLANNING AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Whether you are a current student, a graduate, or a prospective employer, PLA is your key resource for information and assistance to connect with Planners and Landscape Architects locally, nationally, and globally.

Students work with their advisors and the University faculty to ensure success in today’s employment market.

Alumni have a variety of rewarding opportunities to stay connected with LA, URPL, and current students. URPL and LA graduates hold important positions in international organizations; academic institutions; federal, state, and local government agencies; private industry; and nonprofit and community organizations. They are an invaluable resource for students in the development of their careers. View PLA’s alumni boards here.

FAQs

What is Planning? Or, what is planning?
What is Landscape Architecture?
Why choose the Planning Profession?
What careers are available for Planners?
What careers are available for Landscape Architects?                                                                                                                  
What What is Ecological Landscape Design?
How did professionals in the field become interested in planning? (YouTube video by the American Planning Association)

What jobs do students seek after graduation?

Students are hired for positions in various departments of local, state and federal government, higher education, non-profits organizations, and private consulting firms. They work as transportation planners, community development coordinators, regional planners, economic development specialists, food system planners, environmental planners, land use planners, comprehensive plan project managers, non-profit directors, and in many other capacities.

Employment Information

Graduates have successful careers in the federal government, state and local governments, nonprofit arena, and private sector. The key to securing a job after graduation lies in the networks formed while in school through conferences, the URPL internship experience, and other events. In addition, current students can read an evaluation of past student internship experiences in the URPL Library to generate ideas of where to look for an internship and the duties of each position. Also, student advisors, who cultivate close relationships with professional planners and landscape architects both locally in the Madison-area and around the world, are another potential resource for employment information. Be sure to check our Job Board for internships and jobs all around the United States!

Positions Our Alumni Have Held

Community, Natural Resources, and Economic Development Educator – University of Wisconsin Extension, Walworth County, WI
Transportation Analyst – Cambridge Systematics’ Transportation Planning and Management Division, Washington, D.C.
Project Development – Fluor Corporation, Washington, D.C.
Associate Professor – Urban and Regional Planning Department at the Rio de Janeiro Federal University, Brazil
Community Development Director – City of Albert Lee, MN
Executive Vice President – Thrive, Madison, WI
Senior Vice President of Development – T. Wall Properties, Madison, WI
Consultant – Bicycle & Pedestrian Program of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Madison, WI
Director of Investor Relations – Cargill, Incorpo­rated, Minneapolis, MN
Senior Planner and Development of Regional Impact Coordinator – Sarasota County, FL
Director of Real Estate – Kimco Realty Corporation, Rosemont, IL
Community and Economic Development Educator – Michigan State University Extension, East Lansing, MI
Associate Professor – School of Architecture and Planning, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
Planner – Borough of Hanover, PA
CDBG Coordinator – City of Madison, WI
Planning and Community Development Coordinator – City of Monona, WI
Principal Recreation Planner – Division of Parks and Trails of the Department of Natural Resources, MN
Dep­uty Director – American Friends Service Committee, Indonesia
Homeownership Coordinator – Dane County Housing Authority, Madison, WI
Principal – InterPlan, Salt Lake City, UT
Economic Development Associate – City of Roseville, MN
Community Devel­opment Project Manager – City of Madison, WI
Planner – Agnew Beck, Anchorage, AK
Senior Planner – City of Janesville, WI
Executive Director – National Capital Planning Commission, Washington, D.C.
Planner – Office of Policy Development of the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, Boston, MA
Regional Land Use Planner – Sonoran Institute, CA
Economic Analyst – Vierbicher Associates, Madison, WI
Sustainability Planner – MSA Professional Services, Madison, WI
Associate Planner – Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Platteville, WI
Planning / Zoning Specialist – Village of DeForest, DeForest, WI