As municipal planners in the public and private sectors, Bloustein alums Maggie Dobbs (MCRP ’14) and McKinley Mertz (MCRP ’15) have gained some experience in the ins and outs of planning in real life. Join them for a discussion on what really happens when you apply the theoretical lens of planning to the vagaries of local government, where planning graduate school gets it right, and where you realize how much you don’t actually know.

These professionals will walk you through the first years of life on the job and provide input on what you may expect as a young planner, plus tips on community engagement, coordination with municipal staff and governing bodies, and negotiating with developers. We hope you will take away some good insight into what it means to be a land-use planner and finding success in the important work we do.