Photo from the roundtable mentoring session at the 2024 Student MAP Conference.
Students
The Michigan Association of Planning (MAP) is the Michigan Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA). MAP supports our student members by providing education and networking opportunities throughout the year (such as the Student MAP Conference). Joining APA and MAP is free for students. Click below to join as a student through APA's website. Also, visit our scholarship page to find details on the scholarships we offer.
Students: Join Here
More details from the March 2025 Student Bulletin:
Opportunity Spotlight:
National Planning Conference 2025 (NPC 25)
Scholarships (for planning students) actively accepting applications and professional growth opportunities:
Oakland County: College-Intern - Transit (Deadline: Rolling basis, posted 2/25): More information
Under close supervision, the intern willl perform entry level professional duties of moderate difficulty providing the opportunity for professional training in various offices throughout the County.
APA Sustainable Communities Division: 2nd Annual Speed Mentoring Event (3/12 7:00 PM EST, Zoom): More information
Connect with experience planning profesionals from various fields to engage in small-group conversations, get personalized advice, careeer insights, and invaluable networking opportunities.
APA Women and Planning Division: HERstory Planning Trivia with the Chair and Networking (Part of Women's History Month 2025 Community Outreach) (3/13 3:00 PM EST, Zoom): More information
Take a break and join the Women & Planning Division for planning trivia and networking. Win prizes! Flex your planning expertise! Connect with fellow planners! Have fun! All are welcome, but registration is required and limited to the first 100 registrants.
City of Detroit Mayoral Fellowship (Deadline: 3/28): More information
Interns are placed in a City department based on their stated experience, background and suitability for a specific project or office. Applications are open from 1/21 to 3/28 but reviews/ interviews begin on 1/27.
MAP Memorial Student Scholarship Program (Deadline: 5/16): More information
Recent scholarships have ranged from $800 to $1500 per student, in addition to complimentary registration for the annual Planning Michigan conference, held in the Fall.
Active Planning Student Organizations in Michigan:
Resources for students:
Knowing where to search can make all the difference when it comes to finding your ideal role in urban planning. The number of job sites can be overwhelming, so here's a quick guide for planners.
New to LinkedIn? This guide provides essential tips on using LinkedIn to enhance your professional profile, connect with others in the planning community, and advance your career.
Prepared by MAP's 2014 Emerging Planning Professionals Committee Members, the document guides networking, professional etiquette, job search resources, data resources, planning tools & training, and land use resources that planners find useful.
American Planning Association: Divisions
Do you have a planning specialty or interest areas? Choose from among 25 divisions and join a community of professionals with shared interests. Areas range from city, regional, rural, federal, and international planning to environmental, hazard mitigation, housing, and transportation planning to many more topics.
Want to know how planners can secure better pay, benefits, and work-life balance? APA wrote an article about this in November 2024. Check out these 4 tips to success.
