Finding Your Place in Planning
Thursday, September 5, 2024
Sofia Thordin, AICP
Kyle Dost, AICP
Kayla Huetten, AICP
Alvimarie Corales, AICP
Planner to Leader
Discussions and Speakers
Demystifying Employer Benefits
& the Go/No-Go of Job Hopping
Sofia Thordin, AICP, LEED GA
Senior Transit Planner
7+ years of experience
I teach Intro to GIS for UF’s online MURP program
Apartment doesn’t allow dogs, so I opted for 200 compost worms
The Job Market
…in this economy?!
● Open postings in past 30 days: 55
● 2,840 Urban Planners employed in FL
● Median salary in FL: $78,000
● Median salary with 3-9 years experience and a bachelor or masters degree: $70,000
● A note on equity: women still earn $0.91 to a man’s dollar when adjusting for experience
○ 80% of planners identify as white
○ 60% of planners are male
○ Pay inequality increases as time goes on
The Job Market
…in this economy?!
● Planning jobs are expected to increase 10-16% in the coming decade in FL, compared to 4% nationally
● The takeaway:
○ It’s an employee-driven climate
■ More new jobs than new planners
● Some of the main needle-movers for increased salary are:
○ Education
○ Experience
○ Sector (e.g. military or private sector)
Demystifying Employer Benefits
Benefits in order of financial value:
● Health insurance - key considerations are monthly premium, coverage level, and whether the employer contributes to an FSA/HSA
○ $8,500 single/$24,000 family average annually
○ Tip: W2 box DD shows what you + employer paid on premiums
● Retirement match - 401(k), pension, deferred compensation
○ 3%-10% of salary
○ Tip: Consider vesting period! You may “lose” money by quitting early
● Bonus, company stock, APA dues/conference, loan forgiveness
○ $0 to tens of thousands
○ Tip: Again, consider strings tied to these. Ex: a sign-on bonus contingent on staying 2 years, loan forgiveness after 10 years, gains on company stock not realized before 5 years.
The Go/No-Go of Job Hopping
Planner Jane works here
● Salary: $80,000
● 401K match: 10%
● PTO: 17 days
● Holidays: 8
● Bonuses: +/- $7,500 annually
● Monthly insurance: cost $120 with $120 employer HSA contribution (high deductible)
And got this new offer!
● Salary: $110,000
● 401K match: 3%
● PTO: 15 days
● Holidays: 10
● Bonuses: none
● Monthly insurance: $250 (PPO)
The Go/No-Go of Job Hopping
Planner Jane works here
● Salary: $80,000
● 401K match: 10%
● PTO: 17 days
● Holidays: 8
● Bonuses: +/- $7,500 annually
● Monthly insurance: cost $120 with $120 employer HSA contribution (high deductible) And got this new offer!
● Salary: $110,000
● 401K match: 3%
● PTO: 15 days
● Holidays: 10
● Bonuses: none
● Monthly insurance: $250 (PPO)
The Go/No-Go of Job Hopping
Other financial benefits to consider:
● Does it pay for APA/other memberships? Do they allocate training budget for attending webinars/conferences? Is there a tuition reimbursement program?
● Do they pay overtime, or compensate for overtime in some other way (ie bonus)?
Quality of life considerations
● Parental/sick leave, short term disability insurance
● Time policies: hybrid/telework, flex schedule, decreased hours (part-time)
● Work location, office amenities (gym, transit, café)
Professional development considerations
● Do they have defined career tracks or path to promotion?
● Do they have internal training or leadership programs?
When to hold 'em and when to fold 'em
Back to Planner Jane!
What should she do, take the $5,000 raise at the new job, or stick it out?
It's ~complicated~
● Use a job offer comparison tool to aid in the decision.
○ It's easy to imagine the grass is greener or be dazzled by a shiny big number.
● Ask your network!
○ Confide in a trusted colleague – What do you know about this organization? What is their reputation? Have you worked together? You may be surprised by what you hear.
Kyle Dost, AICP
Instructional Assistant Professor and Program Director, University of Florida
Over 7 years of experience
Currently pursuing PhD
Avid houseplant collector
Planner to Leader
Unknowns, Higher Education, & Navigating Imposter Syndrome
Unknowns
● Organization is important, but team can be more important
● Discovering ‘planning’
● Unknown-unknowns
● Failure can be just as important as success
Role of [Higher] Education
● Discovering ‘planning’ → learn about planning
○ Degree programs, and also certificates, professional trainings, AICP
● Help to identifying unknowns
○ Planning theory
○ Learn about profession and opportunities (e.g. military planning)
● Safety nets
○ Internships
○ Test theory, new approaches
○ Sounding board (peers, faculty)
○ ‘Learning’ should encourage trial-and-error
● Navigate profession with familiar faces
Navigating Imposter Syndrome
● Recognize your positioning
● Reflection leads to empowerment
○ You landed where you are for a reason
○ Think about accomplishments (‘running resume’)
○ Talk with colleagues and peers
○ Supervisor dialogue
● Remember growth is not always linear
Kayla Huetten, AICP
Senior Planner
6+ years of experience
Third-generation Floridian
One-time UF Athlete of the Week
Planner to Leader
Personal Branding and Breaking the “Analyst” Mold
Personal Branding
Align career goals with strengths and passions
Showcase strengths and hard skills
Continue to build on and hone-in on valuable skills
Build online presence and network
Be intentional with online LinkedIn posts
Showcase your personality along with experience!
Begin to Plot Your Path: Breaking Free from Analyst/Entry-Level
Mold
Hard skills
Networking
Problem solving & collaboration
Leadership roles Presentation skills
Fierce goals Communicate Work portfolio
Balancing Management and Producer Roles
● Take initiative and identify improvements
● Set 5 and 10-year goals
● Manage and guide emerging planners
● Ask for feedback from trusted mentors and project managers
Management
● Build and enhance skills
● Continue to showcase achievements
● Ask for feedback from trusted mentors and project managers
Analyst
Alvimarie Corales, AICP
Chief Transportation Planner, City of Sarasota
Over 9 years of experience
In school I said that I would never do Transportation Planning I owned two bakeries
Navigating the Public Sector
Goal Achievement
● Navigation Plan
● The important question
○ Setting goals and sticking to them helps you communicate the intent behind requesting opportunities within the public sector.
○ Share them with your employer
Local government has its benefits too!
● Both Sectors have their benefits
● The Public Sector’s undisclosed benefit
○ Professional Development
■ AICP
■ APA Membership
■ Leadership Classes
■ Certificates and Certifications
● Learn the Budget
○ When and How to Ask
○ Provide proper justification
● Review the fine prints
○ Read the policies set in place
Grow Your Career
● On the Job
○ Attend conferences and webinars
○ Manage consultants
■ Triple the experience
○ Manage interns
● On the Job/Off the Job
○ Volunteering at meaningful organizations
○ Find a mentor
Are you planning or administrating?
● Once you start growing your career and shaping yourself to be a leader, there are possibilities that you do less planning and more administration.
● Examples
○ Planning Manager
○ Chief Transportation Planner
To close…
Employer Benefits and Job Hopping - Sofia Thordin, AICP 1
Recommendation for Planner Jane: You can’t compare what you don’t know. Ask yourself what you value in your next career move, and ask the right questions to know if an opportunity will get you there.
2
Unknowns, Higher Education, Imposter Syndrome - Kyle Dost, AICP
Recommendation for Planner Jane: Find ways to navigate unknowns and build confidence! (hand in hand)
Plotting Your Path: Breaking the “Analyst” Mold - Kayla Huetten, AICP 3
Recommendation for Planner Jane: Align your interests and goals. Seek out leadership opportunities!
Navigating the Public Sector - Alvimarie Corales, AICP 4
Recommendation for Planner Jane: Set your goals, tell them what you want, and gain the experience to achieve them.
