As I struggle through the daunting challenges of a potential career move, I'd like to graciously ask for the advice and wisdom of the regulars of UrbanOhio.com.

 

I'm a native Clevelander and a 2005 graduate of Cleveland State (BS Sport Management).  I love Cleveland and everything about it, especially the potential it has to once again become one of the greatest cities in the country.  However, for the past two-plus years, I've been working at a college athletic department and living out of state because of my job, a job that I have lost more and more passion for as the days go by. 

 

In the last few months, however, I've come to the realization that I am passionate about Cleveland, a place I desperately want to return to and work in.  I also have always had a passion for art and have been influenced in my works by architecture and design.  Because of this, I am contemplating going back to school to pursue career in a field that can, preferably, incorporate both of these qualities.

 

Ideally, I think I'd want to pursue a Master's in Urban Design/Planning/Studies from Kent State or Cleveland State.  Both schools have highly regarded Urban Design/Architecture schools, but I'm concerned that with my lack of actual experience in the field (and with my undergrad degree) that I wouldn't stand a chance at getting accepted without essentially going back to get an undergrad/postgrad in Architecture – an additional time commitment I don't know if I would be willing to endure without knowing for sure it was a field I truly wanted to be involved in.

 

I have only frequented UrbanOhio.com for a few months now, but I'm under the impression that there are a decent amount of professionals who are regulars on this site and I'm hoping you can help.  I guess what I'm looking for is some insight into the different areas of the urban design and planning field, like what kind of educational backgrounds you have, what kind of experiences are necessary, what about the job you like, what you don't and (maybe most importantly) what inspired you to follow your particular career path.

 

Right now, I have a very broad and somewhat vague idea of what it is I want to be doing, but I'm hoping that if I can get a better sense of what the field is about from those who are actually living it that I can make a better decision about what path I choose to take.  I feel this site has had a big impact on me and my desire to pursue this field, and I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on where I should go from here.

 

Many thanks.

 

If it weren't time to put the kids to bed, I'll answer your questions now. I'll get back to this topic tonight or tomorrow. But I'm sure that you'll get a lot of good advice from the Levin contingent on this board.

I appreciate it!  No rush at all.  I just waited until this evening because I'm trying to avoid posting too much at work (my computer is wide open and some people have wandering eyes).

CSU's Levin College can really point you in the right direction. Without understanding more about your interests, I would caution you in regards to the design aspect of CSU's urban planning program. CSU's program is more focused on the non-design side of planning. There is some design coursework, but it is not that strong. Still, I think that the program sets up you to confront the true issues that Cleveland faces. Oh, before I forget, acceptance into CSU's masters program is easy. The college is highly ranked, but it is still easy to get in to. Don't fret in the least bit.

 

I completely understand your passion for Cleveland. After college graduation, i spent about 9 years outside of Cleveland (always yearning to come back). I'm back for good and really enjoy a very good job in the planning field in Cleveland. If you have a decent head on your shoulders and take advantage of CSU's graduate internships (easy to get), then you should find fulfilling work.

 

If you are more interested in the actual design of buildings, then I am not the person to ask. I know that there are some KSU arch grads on this board. They will be better able to answer your questions.

 

For a good example of a guy who loved Cleveland, wanted to work in planning but had no experience--read this: 

 

http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2008/09/planner_for_building_cleveland.html

 

PM with any further questions. I'd be happy to answer them.

Undergrad Arch usually requires calculus class even though it isn't pertainent. Maybe the master's requires that as a pre-req. Urban planning/design/analysis you should be fine. People go into those with degrees in art history and womyn's studies.

I echo 3231's thoughts.

 

You shouldn't worry about having the skills to apply for a planning program because that's what your classes and internships are for! 

 

There were people with all sorts of educational backgrounds in the MUPDD program when I was there.  Justin Glanville, the planner that was profiled in the article that 3231 linked to, is the perfect example.  The commonality always seems to be an interest in Cleveland and aspirations to do meaningful work.  You'll fit in just fine. 

 

As for jobs, it seems that the majority of folks work in various forms of government and nonprofits, including community development corporations.  A couple of people wrote a little more about what they do in the Urban Planners thread, so I'd encourage you to check that out.

 

Lastly, I'd recommend that, if you do decide to apply, let me know.  If you use the name of an alumnus, you can get all of your application fees waived.

 

Just send me a PM if you have specific questions about the program, my experiences, etc.  I'm glad to help however I can.

I really do appreciate all of your input.  I still have a ways to go in this process but it definitely helps having some insight from people who are involved in the field. 

 

I read that Cleveland.com article about Justin Glanville and it’s reassuring to know that I don’t necessarily need the planning background to get into this field.  The Urban Planners thread was also really helpful (Not sure how I missed it considering it was posted less than a month ago :-)).

 

At this point, it seems like the Levin College might provide the best of what I’m looking for, but I’ll still continue to research both schools.  I‘m pretty sure I would enjoy having some elements of design involved in what I do, but not having it wouldn’t necessarily be a deal-breaker either.  The most important thing to me at this point is having the satisfaction that what I’m doing is having results and making an impact in some way (something that is lacking in what I’m doing now).

 

I’ll obviously keep you all posted as I move along with this.  Thanks again!

 

I really do appreciate all of your input. I still have a ways to go in this process but it definitely helps having some insight from people who are involved in the field.

 

I read that Cleveland.com article about Justin Glanville and it’s reassuring to know that I don’t necessarily need the planning background to get into this field. The Urban Planners thread was also really helpful (Not sure how I missed it considering it was posted less than a month ago :-)).

 

At this point, it seems like the Levin College might provide the best of what I’m looking for, but I’ll still continue to research both schools. I‘m pretty sure I would enjoy having some elements of design involved in what I do, but not having it wouldn’t necessarily be a deal-breaker either. The most important thing to me at this point is having the satisfaction that what I’m doing is having results and making an impact in some way (something that is lacking in what I’m doing now).

 

I’ll obviously keep you all posted as I move along with this. Thanks again!

 

 

Urbanomics, CSU does have Architectural History and Cities & Planning classes that are housed in the university's art department. When I took them, they focused very much on studying the aesthetics of cities and buildings and less drawing, drafting, and designing. I'm not sure that they're still offered, though, since the professor that had been teaching them for decades recently passed away because of leukemia. But if you'd want to pursue a degree concentration (like real estate development, GIS, economic development, or housing & neighborhood development), your electives would most likely go towards that concentration and those design classes would probably tack a semester on to your program.

 

I believe that musky created his own design concentration in MUPDD program jointly with Kent State Urban Design a few years ago. You might want to send him a PM and see how he did it.

HAHA, the same story at two opposite ends of the state.  I just posted my Thread seeking advice on becoming an Urban Designer here: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,17497.msg331782/topicseen.html#new

 

Where you love Cleveland, I love Cincinnati.  I'm posting on here to bump your thread and to get update on both of ours so we can get answers in twice the time.  I'm glad you decided to post on here though, this is a great forum.

Just wanted to give an update on my situation.  I’ve been a pretty bad correspondent, so my apologies for that. 

 

After a lot of consideration over the past year, I will be starting classes at the College of Architecture and Planning at Ball State next week, where I’ll be spending the next two years pursuing a Master’s of Urban and Regional Planning.  Long story short, after looking at my options with Cleveland State, Kent State and BSU, (and considering the fact that my girlfriend is employed in Indianapolis) Ball State ended up being the best option for me right now.  The plus side is that it has more of a design element to it than the CSU program, which is something I’m definitely interested in.

 

I think the key to the whole thing is my internship next summer.  My ultimate goal is to get back to the Cleveland area in some urban planning capacity, so it would be ideal to have my internship done there.  One of my friends from when I was an undergrad at CSU is a Levin grad and has some connections, so I’m hoping she can help me out.

 

I just wanted to say thanks for your support and suggestions.  I’m hoping that once I get involved in the program and have a good idea of what area I’m going to focus on, I’ll have more and/or better questions to ask, both on this thread and on the rest of the UO board.

 

Thanks!

 

Good luck.

Good luck with the career change!  I actually just completed a career change myself.  I graduated from OSU with a degree in atmospheric science and was doing weather forecasting for United Airlines.  I then opted to go to grad school for a career in accounting.  I finished in May and started the new job last week (auditing).  I too was concerned about the lack of connection between my undergraduate degree and my graduate degree, but fortunately in the end I was able to find a job despite a resume that probably looked rather strange to the consulting firm that hired me.

^hmm, I didn't know you could go for a Master's in Accounting without a Bachelor's in Accounting. Did you have to take any "catch up" classes before entering the program?