The Reach of Sustainability

One of the challenges that many students face upon completion of their studies is creating the continuity from the technical training to field applications.  Part of the problem associated with this is idea that the area of study should directly correlate to the position with the same title.  However, the common theme that I try to present to the students is that recognizing their passions and natural talent should be the priority as this is essential to their successful integration into the workforce.

To help you with learning how to look beyond classifications of a career path, I’ve been given the fortunate opportunity to meet an urban planner that will highlight the overall message of this post.  Greg Chew is an urban planner for the Sacramento Area Council of Governments and is highly involved in the community.  Greg was kind enough to provide professional insight for the Green-Terns.

The following is the content of the interview:

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Green-Tern (GT): Give us a little bit of the history behind your company or position.Greg Chew (GC): The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) is a public agency that provides the regional transportation planning for the six-County Sacramento region.  The agency’s website is www.sacog.org

(GT): What is your position’s top priority?

(GC): I am an urban planner and my main role is to help communities improve their livability through planning of physical infrastructure, public amenities, and private development.  My position’s top priority is to improve the quality of life for the six-county region, particularly by promoting infill, compact development, alternative transportation modes, housing variety, natural resource protection, quality design and a mix of land uses.

(GT): How does your role relate to green and sustainable practices?

(GC): Urban planning inherently tries to balance the needs of urban areas with the sustainability of natural resources. 

(GT): What are some of the industry trends most affecting your business?

(GC): Demographic trends are placing different pressures on urban development patterns.  The senior segment of the population is growing and increasing demand for services, alternative housing, and transportation systems.  On the other end, the Millennial Generation is placing other demands on how communities develop.

(GT): What would you consider as the most important transferable skill for those seeking to enter your industry?

(GC): Communications skills are the most universally important skill needed in most professions.  The ability to write, speak, and work with a variety of people are essential for all professions. 

(GT): What do you feel is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

(GC): The most rewarding aspect of my job is when communities come together and reach the same conclusion about what they need most and how they can achieve it, and then seeing something getting built or implemented.

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To increase your opportunities, several key action items need to be addressed:

Allow yourself to be exposed to environments outside of your current career path.

For example, if you’ve studied sustainability management, don’t limit yourself to titles containing sustainability.  You have to understand what problems your field of study solves.  Understanding the issue allows you to find positions that solve that issue.  In the interview above, you’ll recognize that while urban planning has a focus on infrastructure and development, the benefit of this role reaches far beyond the community into sustainable and environmental aspects.

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(GT): If there was one thing that a student can do to help your organization, what would it be?

(GC):  The most standard skill that any entry-level planner must have is the ability to work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS).  This is commonly a skill that most young planners have that more senior planners do not have or time to do themselves and is critically important to the functioning of planning systems.

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Grow beyond the classroom.

While building up your repertoire supports this statement, be sure that the training you gather helps you meet your end goal.  Having a tool belt with a hundred tools hanging on your waist does nothing but weigh you down if you only need a hammer to nail the job.  Rather, focus on the needs of the organization and build your skills accordingly.

I want to leave you with one last interview question that I feel is very important…

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What advice would you give to someone interested in entering your industry?

(GC): My suggestion is that a prospective planner gets involved with some community development issues (e.g., planning for a park, neighborhood associations, or serving on a public advisory committee).  This would be the most direct way to see what is involved in the community development process and how complex some decisions are and the limitations of available resources while meeting the needs of the community.

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Although my path was not directly tied to urban planning, I can say that this is very solid advice and have personally participated on various planning committees to understand how the community is connected.  No matter what your career path may be, by getting involved with the community, you’ll soon find how closely related each career really is.

It’s at that point of realization when the doors to opportunity open.

To your success,

Michael Dela Pena

For more information on SACOG, GIS