I just graduate with my masters in urban planning! It’s so nice to see Black women getting into the field. Marginalized groups are often highly impacted by city plans but they often do not have the privilege to be active in the decision making process to begin with.
I’m a white male thinking about getting into urban planing to build city’s that work for the working class, this would greatly help poorer areas of the city which are indeed poor largely due to city design. But pointing out race all the time such as applauding someone for being in position and also being a certain race or gender does more harm than good, it creates more divide instead of healing it. It makes much more sense to use labels such as working class which includes all races and genders thus brining everyone under one flag against our rigged capitalist system.
I'm an inspiring urban planner and let me tell you how good I felt when I saw a black muslim woman being in this field ! I'm so happy to see ppl of my community engage in this field that makes me feel very good (sorry for my weak english...)
4 years later and this comment made me smile, I love seeing people encouraged to pursue dreams because they've found a role model ❤ hope everything education wise has gone great for you!!
@@dusty9210 well... let me tell you this sad story of mine... im a french hijabi... and if you want a career in france as a urban planner you either have to have a architect background or become a civil servant... but... if you want to become a civil servant you have to take of your hijab so i decided to change path
I withdrew from this major five years ago. However, after watching this video, I feel compelled to go back. I was the only Muslim woman in the cohort and I didn't give myself enough time to adjust…. I'm a teacher now, but I would love going back and finish that master's degree.Thanks, sister!
As a black girl planning on going into urban planning. I am so grateful for you, you have no idea. I'm so excited to pursue this career, but workforce discrimination makes me so nervous
I’m a junior in high school and it’s very fun to hear that someone else did the same sort of nerdy city-studying that I like to do. I really appreciate the video and the advice.
About nerdy stuff, I love walking through Google maps and see different cities "from the inside" And I am junior and applying this fall for major in Geography/environmental studies to provide a strong basement for my career. After that I'm going to apply for Master degree in Urban planning. My plans might change, of course. P.s. I am on my gap year now, applying again.
I completely feel the same about the reality of the work. I asked a teacher at a school more and more about the job, but I noticed that there clearly is no eye for the residents. If it is, it's usually an afterthought. In my opinion, visionaries are needed. Otherwisa we'll keep building stuff that disappoints and turns our society to sadness
its really an issue when you go into a field and you see nobody like yourself doing it. I see you, and I am all of a sudden far more motivated to get into the field.
GO YOU!!!! THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE PEOPLE LIKE YOU IN THE FIELD! just changed my major to Geology and planning to go into Urban Planning for either environmental policy or transportation. Best of luck to you 🥰
Haa yes, I am an undergrad in Geology. Was wondering whether it makes sense to do a masters in Urban Planning. But I was strongly interested in Planning. Now that I have seen this, Imma definitely go do that shittttt 🥺❤️
it is so inspiring and refreshing to see a black muslimah passionate about urban planning! i only recently found out about urban planning but i have also been someone who has been in interested in cities from a young age. for the past few weeks i have been considering changing my major to urban planning. i was wondering if a bachelors in urban planning or studies is really necessary to delve into the field? or should i focus on grad school? also parents are against it as it is not a lucrative career but that is not much a concern for me. did you have to convince your parents to understand the field? btw your current job sounds very interesting and rewarding! glad you found something that was the right fit.
Hey sis! Thanks for watching, glad it was helpful! I don't think it's necessary to major in urban studies undergrad, but if you could take some classes in the field, or if you have a similar major like political science, sociology or engineering, that would be helpful. Grad school is more important than the undergrad major in my opinion. My parents were kinda hesitant initially because you're right, planners don't get super huge salaries lol, but there's a lot you can do with a planning degree - you can also go into consulting, and there's more money there. I explained to my parents why I wanted to do planning and my passion for it and they were okay with it after awhile. If you genuinely enjoy what you're doing, it kinda makes up for the salary reduction. if you have any more questions, let me know! ☺️
@@Quesadiyah Wait, are you telling me if I majored and have a bachelors in political science I can just go for urban planning grad school and become a certified urban planner? I'm doing my bachelors in Public Adminstration/Political Science and Econ (due to my journalistic interests, idk) and i'm very much interested in urban planning as well but got scared of choosing something so specific. Would that be possible?
@@Jordan-xg4pn I dit that ! I've got an undergrad in political sciences and communication, and I'm started my master's in January. It is a certified program in Canada, in my province, and the USA. A lot of MUP programs actually do not require a background in planning. As it has been said, taking a few classes in undergrad can be good, then you can do a MUP and become a certified planner. Your undergrad program seems like a good fit for planning, and you will have still the option to do something else with it, if you decide planning is not for you.
I was interested in Urban Planning for these exact reasons, but Capital City by Sam Stein explains how planners maintain capitalism and the inequalities we go into the field trying to change. Very frustrating ethically.
Not necessarily. And even the planners who do "maintain capitalism" (mostly private sector consultants) don't do it to the extent that most engineers and business majors do.
Look into some of the Marxist urban studies literature!! You don’t even have to be “Marxist” to understand and appreciate its significance. It’s incredibly prevalent in the field/related fields. While the basis of much of it is that the city (according to Manuel Castells) is primarily a vehicle by which capitalism maximizes its own profits, the field itself is constantly trying to challenge our very definition of the city and the functions of the city. Without urban planners who are cognizant of the inequalities that they could be maintaining the inequalities will only grow! Be the ethical change you wish to see in the field I guess haha
Look, if you go by what Stein says, this kind of moralizing just means a lot of times people who listen to him don't end up doing anything and are stuck in a morass where nothing is good enough and staying in poverty. This ideological approach paradoxically keeps the system from changing by keeping new ideas from building new infrastructure. Don't let this kind of cynicism because that's ultimately what it is, keep you from doing this. If we all twiddle our thumbs instead of embracing ambiguity and pluralism we end up with nothing.
Are you sure it 'maintains' those conditions or simply works within the current system? This sounds eerily similar to the "You criticize society yet you exist" critiques supporters of capitalism will use to deflect any new ideas. I'll take incremental change over nothing any day.
My name is Sadiyyah too! And I give ppl the "quesadilla" reference as well (since they act like they can't pronounce it otherwise lol). I majored in architecture and looking to get into city planning. What a blessing it is that I found you!
13:00 i share a lot fo your concerns! where do you draw the line between enough development and not too much gentrification and is that even possible?? good questions to bring up
This was so helpful! I just graduated from undergrad with a degree in psychology and I originally wanted to pursue a PhD in community psychology with hopes of understanding community dynamics and how I can be of service to them and learned that the field is far more theoretical than applicable. I’ve been reading a lot more about urban planning and I have this interest in place making and public land use and am looking into masters programs for urban planning. I definitely want to engage with communities in a genuine way and I’m curious about how cities will change as a response to COVID. Thanks for this balanced review of the field, I don’t see a lot of black women in urban planning and if I do seriously pursue planning I hope to help change that narrative. You have a great, honest spirit, seriously so glad I found this video!
Thank you! 💜 I’m glad you found it helpful. And yes, we definitely need more black women in the planning field to provide our unique perspectives. Best of luck to you!
You urban planners have such a responsible job, be proud of yourselves ☺️ I didn’t study urban planning but I sincerely am so interesting in cities & creating environments
I feel so seen! I came into urban planning with a city who is considered ghetto, and I entered this physical environment with different angles. From a profit driven angle but a lesser evil than agriculture, (I am Mexican and so this adds to my perspective on how cities depend on immigrant workers to be payed in terrible conditions and mistreated and exploited and it hits home as some family members and people I knew worked in fields.) And as a person trying to live freely in capitalism, I got an internship with a transportation agency which really helped give me huge insight in career fields and general knowledge of urban planning with an intersection of transportation. I thought a field working in transportation services which a lack thereof can cause a disconnect towards resources and you have to pay (as in a car) to reach those resources. So with all that in mind, I dream of almost fairytale-like cities, where population and resources can coexist without a hand in tipping scales as in gentrification and gerrymandering. Working with social jsutice groups on anti policing and student rights and the like, I learned to keep my expectations low when working with a city entitiy and this was proven with the bullet train being built in California (where Im from), is only being stopped because of change in political parties, individual agendas of said politicians, strain in funding, and not bringing the importance of transportation into the conversation. You are so inspiring and doing my dream job and hope to follow in your footsteps. One thing I am scared of is reality scaring me away from this field. I heard once from a mentor, that it is really good that Im interested in this field because of who the field consists of and I was left confused on what they meant. But I think I know what they meant now. I also have social anxiety so speaking with others is going to take alot of work! Thank you for this video!
I’m from Philly too! I’m so glad to see that there’s a Black native who pursued this route. I’m considering going into Drexel’s Urban Strategy & Design program. I want to do something that contributes to my community! Love this breakdown.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO. I'm in high school right now and I've been so interested in the field of urban planning for about a year now and I am seriously considering it. GO women in urban planning!
Thank you for this advice! I am a recent graduate applying for urban and regional planning at master's level. I will bear this information in mind going forward into my career!
Thank you for making this video! I'm a high school student interested in urban planning, and this video was a great way to get a sense of what the field is like.
As a recent graduate from an urban studies program, your channel is everything! I had a pretty unorthodox experience in undergrad and am looking at urban planning/law programs to further my education. This advice is golden!
That game is Sim City 4 Deluxe. I have that very game and have played it since I was about 5 and now I’m very interested in the urban planning field and I attribute it all to the game.
ahhh as someone who is contemplating a graduate degree in planning / public policy i can relate sooo much to your concerns about the field. really great and informative video
Im only 13 but this seems so cool and I really wanna pursue this in the future. I aslo get so immersed in cities just like you said, I cant stop reading abt them and being so interested, and this seems perfect for people like that.thanks for posting the video, it was very helpful.
That's a good presentation there, presentation is one of the skills we learn at the planning school. I studied BSc Human Settlement Planning in Ghana but would love to study project management for my masters. Just want to blend the 2.
I am peter from Kenya and i have watched this video more than once since I was in second year and now I am in fourth year. I keep referring to this vlog coz it reminds the roles of an urban planner. Thanks for this content❤❤
I am literally you LOL Im a junior in high school, and for as long as I can remember I’ve been looking up demographics of US cities, airports, and I’ve been learning all about Boston (my city). Im starting to look into the field, and this was a fantastic video to help me out. Thank you!
I got my undergrad degree in social work and am applying for urban studies masters programs. I'm born and raised NYC and had the same kinda nerdy interest in the city growing up and have the same passion for improving our communities. I appreciate the honesty for checking into the program and I didn't even consider the concerns around gentrification and am embarrassed with myself 😅 I love the idea of connecting with communities and advocating/developing public spaces but I know I need to keep check on my ambitions
Thank you so much for this! Currently in the process of transferring to a 4-year and am looking to buckle down on a major. Also feel like I am coming from a similar place as far as interests in social ecology and urban planning as well as focusing my career towards hearing and working for the people. I’m from LA and gentrification, lack of quality public transport, and pollution are just a few big concerns of mine and is something I’d like to do something about. This has inspired me, thank you!
Sadiyah, thank you for sharing your story and comments on the experience your career, and tips for aspiring professionals. I feel like I learned something important about a career urban planning. I can relate about the struggle to find a place in career and finding opportunities blocked because of not having enough technical skills. That's how I went back to school for GIS, in fact. Now I'm working as a GIS Technician and finding that it's not enough to fulfill my interests with helping people. Wishing you best of luck on your career in Philly :)
What a very inspiring video! I’m currently obtaining my undergraduate in urban and regional planning with a minor in sustainable urban development. I’m half through college already and this information was very helpful. And I do I have to agree with you about the internships! I am a junior, and I am currently trying to apply to various planning internships and they require lots of skills that I haven’t experienced yet. It’s been very frustrating but it’ll payoff eventually.
This video was so informational, I am about to graduate with my BS in Public Health and am looking to apply to grad school for urban planning. I think that your passions about community advocacy and equity, is a major topic that is involved in public health. Thank you for your tips and insight!
Thanks for this. I graduated from undergrad 2 years ago and majored in Urban Studies as well. I had an internship in transportation planning during college but have kind of been a bit all over the place the past two years (tech, then gap year working with youth and now research in public health). Trying to figure out what I want to do next and being drawn back into planning again.
I appreciate this video! I graduated with my masters in urban planning this past July. My concentration is in community development and housing. Now, I am continuing my studies and pursuing my doctorate in the field. I’m excited to see you in the field. Also, thank you for emphasizing GIS, I’m trying to learn in now.
On the positive, she’s well trained to make small speeches about what inspires her and what she’s learned and how appreciative of the experience she is. Finishing school did a decent job. Try picking up a shovel in the sun for a summer
Great video! My current career does not fulfill me anymore and urban planning is something I have always had an interest. Best of luck to you on your professional journey!
i started getting really interested in urban planning after visiting a lot of diff cities and i came across this video! as a fellow hijabi muslim, thanks sister! ❤
absolutely love this video! i just switched my major to urban planning as a second semester sophomore so i’m definitely still trying to get a feel for what it all entails. your editing style is A1 too lol new sub!
I'm a Muslim from Philadelphia as well, and I've always wanted to be a planner. The field of planning is really confusing with regard to school because I need to stay in the state and finding a school with a program that works is difficult. Thank you for your advice.
I stumbled upon your video shortly after i started applying for grad school. Now Ill be graduating this summer with my MUP and I currently work for a Large Local Municipality in Planning and Development. thanks for the tips and inspiration!
I grew up in philly as well. Im looking for a new career that I think I would like to do and enjoy doing on a daily lifetime basis. What interest me most is my insane obsession with playing city building, world building, political dictatorship strategy games. I’ve played and purchased just about every city building game available and with consideration of a new career, It hit me that maybe urban planning is something I should consider.
Hello... I love what you said and you made some really great points. I'm 17 and trying to find potential majors that involve developing communities. I appreciate the advice you gave it was really interesting and it pointed out that in some cases urban planning doesn't always help the members of the communities. Very Insightful!!! Thanks so much! Congrats on finding a career that makes you happy.
Everything you described yourself as doing when you were young is what I’ve done. Only just started looking into urban planning, so you’re channel has been so helpful. Thankyou.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and all of these tips. I gained so much from this video! You've really articulated so many of the questions and concerns I have about moving into the field from gentrification to using it as a force for good to the day to day of a typical vs atypical urban planner. Its so amazing to see other Muslim women who are not only in the field but are putting up content to help others figure out whether or not the degree/career is a good fit for them. Thank you a million times! Going to watch part 2 right now!
My advisor told me to look into urban planning for grad school today! Thank you for making this video :) I can’t believe I never knew it existed until today!! Thank you for sharing
Thank you for this video! I just completed my undergrad degree in Urban Studies and I am considering the Urban Planning masters program at Morgan State. This was very enlightening!
wow, this is so inspiring! thank you for sharing your journey. I'm considering Urban planning as a mid life transition, starting from scratch. My bachelors is in bioengineering, and after working in government work (med devices), I transitioned to permaculture and landscape design (self taught). Providing more affordable housing, parks, trails, and gardens and healthy food options to communities feels like it would be very rewarding. Could one get into this without getting a masters degree? Ive considered taking some GIS courses at my local community college, as this is more accessible and within my budget. Do you think this would be helpful? I also had concerns that government urban planning positions may have red tape or politically influenced, thank you for touching on this subject. The position you have with commerical cooridor manager, that sounds amazing! Is that a private section position? I love that you feel more impactful with the actual residents of the community.
Thank you so much for making this video and speaking about your experience! I'm at a crossroads having just graduated with my bachelor's but have always had this interest in urban planning, so it was very helpful to hear your experience as I figure out what I want to do with my life
i’m graduating spring 2025 with my bachelors and i’m debating on if i should get my masters… since you posted this comment 3 years ago what’s the update? 😅 did you get your masters? was it worth it?
I have always been interested in that topic. I started to study a finance related subject (I don’t know the exact English translation, I am sorry) but I think I want to eventually switch major to something that actually interests me. As a Hongkonger I have obviously always seen the massive problems our own city has and I have always thought about ways to solve some of the problems. Now I am living abroad and I would actually consider going back home for studying a topic like that which is indeed very regional. Like there are big differences between European and Asian cities obviously. Thank you for your insights, I thought this to be a very helpful video :)
thanks for this video! It’s rare to find urban planners on TH-cam that share insights. As a 3rd year undergrad student, I need to start thinking about internships and easing myself into the industry and I was feelin real lost. This video has given a lotta insight! thanks!
Hey i'm a brown "latino" who graduated with a BA in Urban Planning back in 2016. I appreciate you sharing your experience. I've had many ups and downs in this career path and have questioned myself so much but i know my passion is to help disinvested communities and be that change. I also struggled to get internships and only had 1 during school.. since graduating it's been very difficult to get in the door. I've worked with some non-profits but never in a position I feel passionate about. Can you share some tips in how you've secured your awesome jobs in UrbPl? Maybe career/company research and resume shaping and other cool tips? (p.s. when you mentioned "Listening" to the community to direct a plan; I believe that is most important and what creates UNIQUENESS versus someone applying the same theory all over the world 😜 ) You're awesome! thanks again
Hello And salam alakoom Inshallah I’m going into urban planning in Canada as my undergrade. Haven’t been in school in years and inshallah this goes well . This program and field of study in general is super interesting and hopefully all goes well
Super helpful video! I went to architecture school and am in the process of getting my license but am wanting to switch to urban planning in the hopes of working for a community. I've been so disheartened with how architects contribute to gentrification and feel like I need to make a shift that aligns with my values. I'm trying to find a program that features BIPOC educators because it seems like a lot of the field is white-washed and may have a sort of white-savior attitude
Amazing information and insight, thanks for taking the time! also great structure. only thing is the audio, would be great if your voice could be a little louder, especially against the sound effects xx
GIRLL this video was so useful!! I'm studying Architecture but one of my modules requires me to think about urban planning.. I'm a new sub 🥰🥰 love your vibe!!
Found you randomly searching for urban planning stuff. I'm from Brazil, I also study urban planning and it's so crazy how similar your perspectives about the subject is to mine.
No joke, I’m looking at going through clearing to a university course (I’m from the UK, so I don’t know if the US does clearing- it basically if I don’t meet the grade requirements for my A-Levels, then I’ll be rejected from my medical course, and then on results day in clearing you can phone up every university to ask them to give you a place on another course if they have space- so I need AAA for medicine, if I don’t get AAA then I’ll have to pick an entirely different career path based on a different degree). Anyway: I was going through the obvious med-reject courses like biochemistry and biomedical science, and all the videos explaining the degrees just missed out all the detail of what kind of study skills you actually need, what it actually means to do the course, and what students actually do during their degree. I did Geography A-Level, so I figured Planning would be an outlier degree from the sciences to look into that I might really enjoy, and this was the first video that came up. I am CONVINCED you’re the only person on TH-cam to EVER ACTUALLY EXPLAIN what is involved in a degree. Like the information on what type of essay skills, and the fact you pointed out it’s not an instant gratification, and that you were honest about needing a masters, just THANK YOU. Seriously: I’ve been stress searching for the last month, every single day, for someone with useful information (because, let’s be honest, universities are advertising to you, so they only show you the good sides). I genuinely cannot express my inner joy at finding someone who made the perfect explanation of a degree course, it’s like finding gold. Thank you so much!!
Love this! Thank you for going in depth about not only the logistics of the field but your personal ties to that area of interest from a young age! Just found your page and as some one trying to work up the courage to attend a MURP program for grad school, your insight is so so helpful. What mentors did you find in the field/best advice you've been given?
Thank you for sharing. I'm a speech therapist, and it really doesn't suit my personality very well. I like writing reports, thinking about problems, and analyzing data. I'm exploring the idea of urban planning and it sounds really interesting.
This was a great video. I have the same aspirations and intentions of you. However I’m entering the realm space as an adult learner and worker. I have a bevy of transportation experience but I feel I can do so much more to better my community, as well the city. Gentrification is a huge thing and I’ve seen the effects and affects in NYC but also in Panama and it could be disgusting. My intentions come with being a positive to us while working against the negatives. I know it’s a long and arduous process and doesn’t come instant. Anyway, thank you for this video, it’s a great insight and proud to see us venture into fields as such. Would love to pick your brain if possible.
Thanks for the info and tips! It’s so helpful! I was thinking about getting my masters in planning and I’m currently a civil engineer I do roadway work that I don’t necessarily believe in I want my career to reflect what you were talking about more! I was interested in getting my masters in London now that I found out my company isn’t reimbursing school anymore but I think you’re experience has made me have a little bit more to think about
Wow so glad to see a sister in the field. I am going to study the same field, but I was thinking about doing the dual MSRED and MS in Urban Planning at Columbia University. I hope I see you in the field, I'm interested in developing Sierra Leone I can't wait.
I know this is an older video. Are you still satisfied with your decision to go into URP? I am in a master's program right now and I am realizing there is a lot of burnout/people leaving the profession after 5+ years.
So incredibly helpful! I appreciate that your video style is also ADHD friendly haha! Urban planning seems so crazy important, especially when it comes to the impact on minorities and communities in poverty. You seem like you have a good heart so I bet you do a lot a great work. Thanks for the valuable info!!!!! P.S Your eyebrows are fire.
Thank. You. So. Much. Your insight into your career journey gave me hope! I too want to be a planner and am coming from a good place. Thank you for sharing your truth!
I just graduate with my masters in urban planning! It’s so nice to see Black women getting into the field. Marginalized groups are often highly impacted by city plans but they often do not have the privilege to be active in the decision making process to begin with.
I just got admitted into uni to study urban design and planning. Can we be friends
Yesss! We need more people of color in these jobs ! You are the future!
In what way are you marginalized?
I’m a white male thinking about getting into urban planing to build city’s that work for the working class, this would greatly help poorer areas of the city which are indeed poor largely due to city design. But pointing out race all the time such as applauding someone for being in position and also being a certain race or gender does more harm than good, it creates more divide instead of healing it. It makes much more sense to use labels such as working class which includes all races and genders thus brining everyone under one flag against our rigged capitalist system.
@@logans3365shut up
I'm an inspiring urban planner and let me tell you how good I felt when I saw a black muslim woman being in this field ! I'm so happy to see ppl of my community engage in this field that makes me feel very good (sorry for my weak english...)
bi bi this comment made my day! Thank you for watching and I hope this video was helpful to you 💜💜
4 years later and this comment made me smile, I love seeing people encouraged to pursue dreams because they've found a role model ❤ hope everything education wise has gone great for you!!
@@dusty9210 well... let me tell you this sad story of mine... im a french hijabi... and if you want a career in france as a urban planner you either have to have a architect background or become a civil servant... but... if you want to become a civil servant you have to take of your hijab so i decided to change path
I withdrew from this major five years ago. However, after watching this video, I feel compelled to go back. I was the only Muslim woman in the cohort and I didn't give myself enough time to adjust…. I'm a teacher now, but I would love going back and finish that master's degree.Thanks, sister!
As a black girl planning on going into urban planning. I am so grateful for you, you have no idea. I'm so excited to pursue this career, but workforce discrimination makes me so nervous
Go for it sis! 💖
Stop this victimhood
@@Quesadiyah Can u be moi mentor sis?
I just started in this field
I’m a junior in high school and it’s very fun to hear that someone else did the same sort of nerdy city-studying that I like to do. I really appreciate the video and the advice.
if this is a year ago, then that means were both high school seniors! glad to see others like me interested in this field!!
About nerdy stuff, I love walking through Google maps and see different cities "from the inside"
And I am junior and applying this fall for major in Geography/environmental studies to provide a strong basement for my career. After that I'm going to apply for Master degree in Urban planning. My plans might change, of course.
P.s. I am on my gap year now, applying again.
I’m obsessed with google maps 🤣
Looooove doing that too. It’s so interesting to see the variety of cities and streets around the world!
same here. same degree, gis and env studies. im looking at grad school at the institutions accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board
I completely feel the same about the reality of the work. I asked a teacher at a school more and more about the job, but I noticed that there clearly is no eye for the residents. If it is, it's usually an afterthought. In my opinion, visionaries are needed. Otherwisa we'll keep building stuff that disappoints and turns our society to sadness
its really an issue when you go into a field and you see nobody like yourself doing it. I see you, and I am all of a sudden far more motivated to get into the field.
GO YOU!!!! THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE PEOPLE LIKE YOU IN THE FIELD! just changed my major to Geology and planning to go into Urban Planning for either environmental policy or transportation. Best of luck to you 🥰
OMFG YOU WENT TO COLUMBIA SHE SMART AS FUCK
Thank you! 😊
Haa yes, I am an undergrad in Geology. Was wondering whether it makes sense to do a masters in Urban Planning. But I was strongly interested in Planning. Now that I have seen this, Imma definitely go do that shittttt 🥺❤️
Literally me right now
I’m a town planner, based in South Africa. Would be nice to make town planning friends all over the world! 🥰
it is so inspiring and refreshing to see a black muslimah passionate about urban planning! i only recently found out about urban planning but i have also been someone who has been in interested in cities from a young age. for the past few weeks i have been considering changing my major to urban planning. i was wondering if a bachelors in urban planning or studies is really necessary to delve into the field? or should i focus on grad school? also parents are against it as it is not a lucrative career but that is not much a concern for me. did you have to convince your parents to understand the field? btw your current job sounds very interesting and rewarding! glad you found something that was the right fit.
Hey sis! Thanks for watching, glad it was helpful!
I don't think it's necessary to major in urban studies undergrad, but if you could take some classes in the field, or if you have a similar major like political science, sociology or engineering, that would be helpful. Grad school is more important than the undergrad major in my opinion.
My parents were kinda hesitant initially because you're right, planners don't get super huge salaries lol, but there's a lot you can do with a planning degree - you can also go into consulting, and there's more money there. I explained to my parents why I wanted to do planning and my passion for it and they were okay with it after awhile. If you genuinely enjoy what you're doing, it kinda makes up for the salary reduction. if you have any more questions, let me know! ☺️
@@Quesadiyah Wait, are you telling me if I majored and have a bachelors in political science I can just go for urban planning grad school and become a certified urban planner? I'm doing my bachelors in Public Adminstration/Political Science and Econ (due to my journalistic interests, idk) and i'm very much interested in urban planning as well but got scared of choosing something so specific. Would that be possible?
Eagerly waiting for your answer :)
@@Jordan-xg4pn I dit that ! I've got an undergrad in political sciences and communication, and I'm started my master's in January. It is a certified program in Canada, in my province, and the USA. A lot of MUP programs actually do not require a background in planning. As it has been said, taking a few classes in undergrad can be good, then you can do a MUP and become a certified planner. Your undergrad program seems like a good fit for planning, and you will have still the option to do something else with it, if you decide planning is not for you.
You should start playing cities skylines, maybe even stream it?
I was interested in Urban Planning for these exact reasons, but Capital City by Sam Stein explains how planners maintain capitalism and the inequalities we go into the field trying to change. Very frustrating ethically.
Not necessarily. And even the planners who do "maintain capitalism" (mostly private sector consultants) don't do it to the extent that most engineers and business majors do.
Look into some of the Marxist urban studies literature!! You don’t even have to be “Marxist” to understand and appreciate its significance. It’s incredibly prevalent in the field/related fields. While the basis of much of it is that the city (according to Manuel Castells) is primarily a vehicle by which capitalism maximizes its own profits, the field itself is constantly trying to challenge our very definition of the city and the functions of the city. Without urban planners who are cognizant of the inequalities that they could be maintaining the inequalities will only grow! Be the ethical change you wish to see in the field I guess haha
@@mikaelsmith22 Right on! OP might also be interested in reading some urban theorists like David Harvey, Ed Soja, and Leonie Sandercock.
Look, if you go by what Stein says, this kind of moralizing just means a lot of times people who listen to him don't end up doing anything and are stuck in a morass where nothing is good enough and staying in poverty. This ideological approach paradoxically keeps the system from changing by keeping new ideas from building new infrastructure. Don't let this kind of cynicism because that's ultimately what it is, keep you from doing this. If we all twiddle our thumbs instead of embracing ambiguity and pluralism we end up with nothing.
Are you sure it 'maintains' those conditions or simply works within the current system? This sounds eerily similar to the "You criticize society yet you exist" critiques supporters of capitalism will use to deflect any new ideas. I'll take incremental change over nothing any day.
I've been following you since my architecture days...I have now earned my post grad degree in urban planning in India... Thank you so much
My name is Sadiyyah too! And I give ppl the "quesadilla" reference as well (since they act like they can't pronounce it otherwise lol). I majored in architecture and looking to get into city planning. What a blessing it is that I found you!
Oh wow, what are the odds! Lol thanks for watching 💓
Planning and Development professional in London here! Good to see you in the sector!
13:00 i share a lot fo your concerns! where do you draw the line between enough development and not too much gentrification and is that even possible?? good questions to bring up
This was so helpful! I just graduated from undergrad with a degree in psychology and I originally wanted to pursue a PhD in community psychology with hopes of understanding community dynamics and how I can be of service to them and learned that the field is far more theoretical than applicable. I’ve been reading a lot more about urban planning and I have this interest in place making and public land use and am looking into masters programs for urban planning. I definitely want to engage with communities in a genuine way and I’m curious about how cities will change as a response to COVID. Thanks for this balanced review of the field, I don’t see a lot of black women in urban planning and if I do seriously pursue planning I hope to help change that narrative. You have a great, honest spirit, seriously so glad I found this video!
Thank you! 💜 I’m glad you found it helpful. And yes, we definitely need more black women in the planning field to provide our unique perspectives. Best of luck to you!
You urban planners have such a responsible job, be proud of yourselves ☺️ I didn’t study urban planning but I sincerely am so interesting in cities & creating environments
Finally someone who goes straight to the point and who gives complete information !! thank you ! Great video :) !
This was so helpful! I'm considering getting my MPA in urban studies & planning and this is incredibly helpful!
I feel so seen! I came into urban planning with a city who is considered ghetto, and I entered this physical environment with different angles. From a profit driven angle but a lesser evil than agriculture, (I am Mexican and so this adds to my perspective on how cities depend on immigrant workers to be payed in terrible conditions and mistreated and exploited and it hits home as some family members and people I knew worked in fields.) And as a person trying to live freely in capitalism, I got an internship with a transportation agency which really helped give me huge insight in career fields and general knowledge of urban planning with an intersection of transportation. I thought a field working in transportation services which a lack thereof can cause a disconnect towards resources and you have to pay (as in a car) to reach those resources. So with all that in mind, I dream of almost fairytale-like cities, where population and resources can coexist without a hand in tipping scales as in gentrification and gerrymandering. Working with social jsutice groups on anti policing and student rights and the like, I learned to keep my expectations low when working with a city entitiy and this was proven with the bullet train being built in California (where Im from), is only being stopped because of change in political parties, individual agendas of said politicians, strain in funding, and not bringing the importance of transportation into the conversation.
You are so inspiring and doing my dream job and hope to follow in your footsteps. One thing I am scared of is reality scaring me away from this field. I heard once from a mentor, that it is really good that Im interested in this field because of who the field consists of and I was left confused on what they meant. But I think I know what they meant now. I also have social anxiety so speaking with others is going to take alot of work! Thank you for this video!
I’m from Philly too! I’m so glad to see that there’s a Black native who pursued this route. I’m considering going into Drexel’s Urban Strategy & Design program. I want to do something that contributes to my community! Love this breakdown.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO. I'm in high school right now and I've been so interested in the field of urban planning for about a year now and I am seriously considering it. GO women in urban planning!
Thanks for the info and tips! I'm about to begin my Master's in Urban Planning at McGill so this was quite helpful! All the best!
How has it been? I'm applying for McGill too, I'm interested in transportation mainly.
@@duaachan4386 Did any of you go there. I'm interested in doing this too esp transportation
@@duaachan4386 the pay is low tho?
Thank you for this advice! I am a recent graduate applying for urban and regional planning at master's level. I will bear this information in mind going forward into my career!
Thank you for making this video! I'm a high school student interested in urban planning, and this video was a great way to get a sense of what the field is like.
Thanks for watching! 😊
I needed this! I’m interested in urban planning law and this is so truthful and honest!
me too!
As a recent graduate from an urban studies program, your channel is everything! I had a pretty unorthodox experience in undergrad and am looking at urban planning/law programs to further my education. This advice is golden!
That game is Sim City 4 Deluxe. I have that very game and have played it since I was about 5 and now I’m very interested in the urban planning field and I attribute it all to the game.
Thanks for this superb video, with no 'derailing' from the topic.
Watching this 4 years late but thank you for this video! I’m a geographer and I’m excited to get into urban planning!
ahhh as someone who is contemplating a graduate degree in planning / public policy i can relate sooo much to your concerns about the field. really great and informative video
Im only 13 but this seems so cool and I really wanna pursue this in the future. I aslo get so immersed in cities just like you said, I cant stop reading abt them and being so interested, and this seems perfect for people like that.thanks for posting the video, it was very helpful.
That's a good presentation there, presentation is one of the skills we learn at the planning school. I studied BSc Human Settlement Planning in Ghana but would love to study project management for my masters. Just want to blend the 2.
your regrets are exactly my fears about going into the field, thank you so much for sharing your experience! it’s helped me a lot ❤️
I am peter from Kenya and i have watched this video more than once since I was in second year and now I am in fourth year. I keep referring to this vlog coz it reminds the roles of an urban planner. Thanks for this content❤❤
I am literally you LOL
Im a junior in high school, and for as long as I can remember I’ve been looking up demographics of US cities, airports, and I’ve been learning all about Boston (my city). Im starting to look into the field, and this was a fantastic video to help me out. Thank you!
this is amazing guys!!
btw, i just remembered my school taught about this in 6th Grade
yup, 6th grade and that was our end-of-term
I got my undergrad degree in social work and am applying for urban studies masters programs. I'm born and raised NYC and had the same kinda nerdy interest in the city growing up and have the same passion for improving our communities. I appreciate the honesty for checking into the program and I didn't even consider the concerns around gentrification and am embarrassed with myself 😅 I love the idea of connecting with communities and advocating/developing public spaces but I know I need to keep check on my ambitions
Thank you so much for this! Currently in the process of transferring to a 4-year and am looking to buckle down on a major. Also feel like I am coming from a similar place as far as interests in social ecology and urban planning as well as focusing my career towards hearing and working for the people. I’m from LA and gentrification, lack of quality public transport, and pollution are just a few big concerns of mine and is something I’d like to do something about. This has inspired me, thank you!
Sadiyah, thank you for sharing your story and comments on the experience your career, and tips for aspiring professionals. I feel like I learned something important about a career urban planning. I can relate about the struggle to find a place in career and finding opportunities blocked because of not having enough technical skills. That's how I went back to school for GIS, in fact. Now I'm working as a GIS Technician and finding that it's not enough to fulfill my interests with helping people.
Wishing you best of luck on your career in Philly :)
What a very inspiring video! I’m currently obtaining my undergraduate in urban and regional planning with a minor in sustainable urban development. I’m half through college already and this information was very helpful. And I do I have to agree with you about the internships! I am a junior, and I am currently trying to apply to various planning internships and they require lots of skills that I haven’t experienced yet. It’s been very frustrating but it’ll payoff eventually.
This video was so informational, I am about to graduate with my BS in Public Health and am looking to apply to grad school for urban planning. I think that your passions about community advocacy and equity, is a major topic that is involved in public health. Thank you for your tips and insight!
Thanks for this. I graduated from undergrad 2 years ago and majored in Urban Studies as well. I had an internship in transportation planning during college but have kind of been a bit all over the place the past two years (tech, then gap year working with youth and now research in public health). Trying to figure out what I want to do next and being drawn back into planning again.
Hi Lydia, hope you are doing well... I wish to connect to acquire some insights of the planning field in the US.
I appreciate this video! I graduated with my masters in urban planning this past July. My concentration is in community development and housing. Now, I am continuing my studies and pursuing my doctorate in the field. I’m excited to see you in the field. Also, thank you for emphasizing GIS, I’m trying to learn in now.
this is incredible! Currently studying Urban Planning at ASU. I felt the part when you said you played Sim City. I love cities. Glad to see this!
Wow this is the exact video and information/perspective I was needing in my life !
On the positive, she’s well trained to make small speeches about what inspires her and what she’s learned and how appreciative of the experience she is. Finishing school did a decent job. Try picking up a shovel in the sun for a summer
thank you! such a helpful video, i am glad i watched it
Great video! My current career does not fulfill me anymore and urban planning is something I have always had an interest. Best of luck to you on your professional journey!
i started getting really interested in urban planning after visiting a lot of diff cities and i came across this video! as a fellow hijabi muslim, thanks sister! ❤
absolutely love this video! i just switched my major to urban planning as a second semester sophomore so i’m definitely still trying to get a feel for what it all entails. your editing style is A1 too lol new sub!
Thank you for watching! Glad you found it helpful 🙌🏾
I'm a Muslim from Philadelphia as well, and I've always wanted to be a planner. The field of planning is really confusing with regard to school because I need to stay in the state and finding a school with a program that works is difficult. Thank you for your advice.
JAK! Really appreciate this video. I've considered urban planning for sometime and I think this video has guided my decision better.
I stumbled upon your video shortly after i started applying for grad school. Now Ill be graduating this summer with my MUP and I currently work for a Large Local Municipality in Planning and Development. thanks for the tips and inspiration!
That’s great to hear! Congratulations 👏🏾
I grew up in philly as well. Im looking for a new career that I think I would like to do and enjoy doing on a daily lifetime basis.
What interest me most is my insane obsession with playing city building, world building, political dictatorship strategy games. I’ve played and purchased just about every city building game available and with consideration of a new career, It hit me that maybe urban planning is something I should consider.
Hello... I love what you said and you made some really great points. I'm 17 and trying to find potential majors that involve developing communities. I appreciate the advice you gave it was really interesting and it pointed out that in some cases urban planning doesn't always help the members of the communities. Very Insightful!!! Thanks so much! Congrats on finding a career that makes you happy.
Everything you described yourself as doing when you were young is what I’ve done. Only just started looking into urban planning, so you’re channel has been so helpful. Thankyou.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and all of these tips. I gained so much from this video! You've really articulated so many of the questions and concerns I have about moving into the field from gentrification to using it as a force for good to the day to day of a typical vs atypical urban planner. Its so amazing to see other Muslim women who are not only in the field but are putting up content to help others figure out whether or not the degree/career is a good fit for them. Thank you a million times! Going to watch part 2 right now!
My advisor told me to look into urban planning for grad school today! Thank you for making this video :) I can’t believe I never knew it existed until today!! Thank you for sharing
That's the information I needed.... thank you
thank you for making this video, I am going to do my first year of urban planning, design and management at UCL this September! So helpful!
夏瑞慈 Good luck!
Thank you for this video! I just completed my undergrad degree in Urban Studies and I am considering the Urban Planning masters program at Morgan State. This was very enlightening!
thanks for watching! :)
Good video. You sound highly competent in your field and an intelligent professional.
i have a bachelors in urban planning.. i would like to see what options i have for myself .. after watching this video i learned alot thank you
Hey. This vid is helpful. Thanks.
wow, this is so inspiring! thank you for sharing your journey. I'm considering Urban planning as a mid life transition, starting from scratch. My bachelors is in bioengineering, and after working in government work (med devices), I transitioned to permaculture and landscape design (self taught). Providing more affordable housing, parks, trails, and gardens and healthy food options to communities feels like it would be very rewarding. Could one get into this without getting a masters degree? Ive considered taking some GIS courses at my local community college, as this is more accessible and within my budget. Do you think this would be helpful? I also had concerns that government urban planning positions may have red tape or politically influenced, thank you for touching on this subject. The position you have with commerical cooridor manager, that sounds amazing! Is that a private section position? I love that you feel more impactful with the actual residents of the community.
Thank you so much for making this video and speaking about your experience! I'm at a crossroads having just graduated with my bachelor's but have always had this interest in urban planning, so it was very helpful to hear your experience as I figure out what I want to do with my life
i’m graduating spring 2025 with my bachelors and i’m debating on if i should get my masters… since you posted this comment 3 years ago what’s the update? 😅 did you get your masters? was it worth it?
Hello! Thank you! Very helpful. Greetings from Nicaragua in Central America. :)
Jezabel Aponte thanks for watching! Wow Nicaragua, so cool! ☺️ I’ve only been to Costa Rica in central america
I have always been interested in that topic. I started to study a finance related subject (I don’t know the exact English translation, I am sorry) but I think I want to eventually switch major to something that actually interests me. As a Hongkonger I have obviously always seen the massive problems our own city has and I have always thought about ways to solve some of the problems. Now I am living abroad and I would actually consider going back home for studying a topic like that which is indeed very regional. Like there are big differences between European and Asian cities obviously. Thank you for your insights, I thought this to be a very helpful video :)
thanks for this video! It’s rare to find urban planners on TH-cam that share insights. As a 3rd year undergrad student, I need to start thinking about internships and easing myself into the industry and I was feelin real lost. This video has given a lotta insight! thanks!
Hey i'm a brown "latino" who graduated with a BA in Urban Planning back in 2016. I appreciate you sharing your experience. I've had many ups and downs in this career path and have questioned myself so much but i know my passion is to help disinvested communities and be that change. I also struggled to get internships and only had 1 during school.. since graduating it's been very difficult to get in the door. I've worked with some non-profits but never in a position I feel passionate about. Can you share some tips in how you've secured your awesome jobs in UrbPl? Maybe career/company research and resume shaping and other cool tips? (p.s. when you mentioned "Listening" to the community to direct a plan; I believe that is most important and what creates UNIQUENESS versus someone applying the same theory all over the world 😜 ) You're awesome! thanks again
This is so so helpful! Feeling way more informed and affirmed abt my decision to pursue planning 🙌
Hello
And salam alakoom
Inshallah I’m going into urban planning in Canada as my undergrade. Haven’t been in school in years and inshallah this goes well . This program and field of study in general is super interesting and hopefully all goes well
Super helpful video! I went to architecture school and am in the process of getting my license but am wanting to switch to urban planning in the hopes of working for a community. I've been so disheartened with how architects contribute to gentrification and feel like I need to make a shift that aligns with my values. I'm trying to find a program that features BIPOC educators because it seems like a lot of the field is white-washed and may have a sort of white-savior attitude
Amazing information and insight, thanks for taking the time! also great structure. only thing is the audio, would be great if your voice could be a little louder, especially against the sound effects xx
This was super helpful - I appreciate you sharing each side of your journey into this career - the good and the bad.
GIRLL this video was so useful!! I'm studying Architecture but one of my modules requires me to think about urban planning..
I'm a new sub 🥰🥰 love your vibe!!
Found you randomly searching for urban planning stuff. I'm from Brazil, I also study urban planning and it's so crazy how similar your perspectives about the subject is to mine.
Working on applying to Grad schools for UP! Your video was great! Thanks for this!
I appreciated this video. I'm also an Urban Planning nerd from Philly. You're a legend for making this video. Shoutout to black Muslims
11:07my dad is an urban planner with over 25 years of experience I think I will ask him about it
No joke, I’m looking at going through clearing to a university course (I’m from the UK, so I don’t know if the US does clearing- it basically if I don’t meet the grade requirements for my A-Levels, then I’ll be rejected from my medical course, and then on results day in clearing you can phone up every university to ask them to give you a place on another course if they have space- so I need AAA for medicine, if I don’t get AAA then I’ll have to pick an entirely different career path based on a different degree).
Anyway: I was going through the obvious med-reject courses like biochemistry and biomedical science, and all the videos explaining the degrees just missed out all the detail of what kind of study skills you actually need, what it actually means to do the course, and what students actually do during their degree. I did Geography A-Level, so I figured Planning would be an outlier degree from the sciences to look into that I might really enjoy, and this was the first video that came up.
I am CONVINCED you’re the only person on TH-cam to EVER ACTUALLY EXPLAIN what is involved in a degree. Like the information on what type of essay skills, and the fact you pointed out it’s not an instant gratification, and that you were honest about needing a masters, just THANK YOU. Seriously: I’ve been stress searching for the last month, every single day, for someone with useful information (because, let’s be honest, universities are advertising to you, so they only show you the good sides).
I genuinely cannot express my inner joy at finding someone who made the perfect explanation of a degree course, it’s like finding gold. Thank you so much!!
Love this! Thank you for going in depth about not only the logistics of the field but your personal ties to that area of interest from a young age! Just found your page and as some one trying to work up the courage to attend a MURP program for grad school, your insight is so so helpful. What mentors did you find in the field/best advice you've been given?
Thank you for the great info. Iam an urban planning undergraduate. Please don’t stop the good work of spreading knowledge about urban planning.
Mr. RAW thanks for watching! 😊
Quesadiyah can you make a video upon urban planning in Canada in any region. 😊
Thank you for this video. It was insightful! :)
Sebastian Alvarez thanks for watching! 😊
Thank you for sharing. I'm a speech therapist, and it really doesn't suit my personality very well. I like writing reports, thinking about problems, and analyzing data. I'm exploring the idea of urban planning and it sounds really interesting.
What don't you like about speech therapy?
Excellent.💪🏿
This was a great video. I have the same aspirations and intentions of you. However I’m entering the realm space as an adult learner and worker. I have a bevy of transportation experience but I feel I can do so much more to better my community, as well the city. Gentrification is a huge thing and I’ve seen the effects and affects in NYC but also in Panama and it could be disgusting. My intentions come with being a positive to us while working against the negatives. I know it’s a long and arduous process and doesn’t come instant. Anyway, thank you for this video, it’s a great insight and proud to see us venture into fields as such. Would love to pick your brain if possible.
Thanks for the info and tips! It’s so helpful! I was thinking about getting my masters in planning and I’m currently a civil engineer I do roadway work that I don’t necessarily believe in I want my career to reflect what you were talking about more! I was interested in getting my masters in London now that I found out my company isn’t reimbursing school anymore but I think you’re experience has made me have a little bit more to think about
This was very useful, thanks!
Wow so glad to see a sister in the field. I am going to study the same field, but I was thinking about doing the dual MSRED and MS in Urban Planning at Columbia University. I hope I see you in the field, I'm interested in developing Sierra Leone I can't wait.
I know this is an older video. Are you still satisfied with your decision to go into URP? I am in a master's program right now and I am realizing there is a lot of burnout/people leaving the profession after 5+ years.
this is very helpful thank you !
So incredibly helpful! I appreciate that your video style is also ADHD friendly haha! Urban planning seems so crazy important, especially when it comes to the impact on minorities and communities in poverty. You seem like you have a good heart so I bet you do a lot a great work. Thanks for the valuable info!!!!!
P.S Your eyebrows are fire.
Thank you so much! 💜💜
Thank. You. So. Much. Your insight into your career journey gave me hope! I too want to be a planner and am coming from a good place. Thank you for sharing your truth!
This was so helpful. Thank you so much!
Very well explained.
This is so inspiring! I'll be finished with my Master's degree in Planning in May. So excited!
thanks for watching! Congrats in advance ☺️
thanks for the video