Career Exploration
- Professional Associations
- USP Career Exploration
- RED Career Exploration
Learn what you can do with a degree in Urban Studies and Planning and explore career paths and resources.
Career Paths
Below are some of the most common career paths related to Urban Studies and Planning.
- Land Use Planning
- Environmental Planning
- Economic Development Planning
- Transportation Planning
- Housing and Community Development
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- Public Policy and Management
- Architecture
- Urban Design
- Real Estate
- Law
- Public and Community Health
- Non-Profit Management
Career Exploration & Learning Resources
Review these resources for general information on what you can do with an Urban Studies and Planning major
- ACSP Overview
- Planning Specializations
- Choosing the Planning Profession
- General Overview
- Indeed's Overview
- What Can I Do With a Major In Urban Studies? My Experience as an urban studies major
Have a suggestion for a resource to add here? Please email it to usp@ucsd.edu.
Sample Job Titles
- Assistant Planner
- Planner
- Transportation Planner
- Mobility and Innovation Planner
- Land Use Aide
- Community Engagement Coordinator
- Regional Planner
- Urban Designer
- Principal Planner
- Transportation Program Coordinator
- Attorney
- Environmental Planner
- Community Planner
- Landscape Architect
- Architect
- Public Policy Specialist
- Outreach Coordinator
- Design Principal
- City Manager
- Community Development Director
Potential Post-Bachelor's Education
- Master's of Urban Planning
- Master's of Development Practice
- Master's of Public Administration
- Master's of Regional Planning
- Juris Doctor (Law School)
- Master’s in Architecture
- Master’s in Landscape Architecture
- Master’s of Business Administration
- Master of Real Estate Development
Potential Employers
Below is a sample of potential employers related to Urban Studies and Planning. This list is not exhaustive; students and alumni are encouraged to conduct additional research.
Opportunities are available in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.
- City & Regional Government Agencies (Planning, Zoning, Housing, Community Development)
- All Cities and Counties, Ports, Housing Commissions, Utilities
- Transportation Planning & Mobility Organizations
- SANDAG, MTS, North County Transit District, Circulate San Diego, Caltrans, SD Airport Authority
- Environmental & Sustainability Planning
- Cities and Planning companies plus California Coastal Commission, San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, Port of San Diego, San Diego River Park Foundation, Rincon Consultants
- Affordable Housing & Community Development Organizations
- Wakeland, Affirmed Housing, Community HousingWorks, National CORE, BRIDGE Housing, Chelsea Investment Corporation, MAAC, City Heights CDC, Mid-City CAN
- Private Sector Planning, Development & Consulting Firms
- AECOM, Dudek, PlaceWorks, Kimley-Horn, Rick Engineering Company, Citythinkers, WSP, Michael Baker International, HNTB, Keyser Marston Associates, Rincon Consultants, Nexus Planning & Research, Dyett & Bhatia
- Architecture & Urban Design Firms
- Safdie Rabines Architects, Joseph Wong Design Associates (JWDA), WareMalcomb, M.W. Steele Group, Carrier Johnson + CULTURE, Gensler, HDR Architecture, Citythinkers
- Policy, Research, and Advocacy
- Elected Officials, Circulate San Diego, City Heights CDC, Mid-City CAN
- Other Potential Employers
- Universities, Nonprofit organizations, Real Estate Development Companies
