Emerging Planning Professionals
Emerging Planning Professionals are working students, entry-level-to-mid-level planners, those in planning-adjacent fields, or individuals embarking on encore careers. Whether equipped with a brand new planning degree, shifting focus in their career, or tackling that first professional planning position, EPP’s offer ambition, passion and potential, and often have questions about how to get to where they want to go. As the Michigan Chapter of the American Planning Association, MAP works to strategically connect emerging planners with member services, training and leadership opportunities to grow their professional expertise and experience.
EPP Membership
Take advantage of discounted membership dues: $30 for an annual MAP EPP membership (for up to three years following graduation).
Some of the services and benefits offered to Emerging Planning Professionals include:
- Discounted chapter membership
- Leadership opportunities in the EPP Committee, a group comprised of your peers working to meet EPP's unique professional development needs.
- Opportunities to network and learn with your peers as part of monthly online gatherings.
- Professional development through quarterly webinars organized by the EPP Committee. Past webinars have included Media 101, Q-GIS and Renewable Energy.
- AICP Exam preparation support, including study groups and crowd-sourced resources.
- Articles and features in the Michigan Planner magazine and in the E-dition.
EPP Committee
An active group of MAP's emerging planning professional members meets monthly via Zoom to plan activities and support MAP's events. The committee operates under the following goals:
EPP is a voice for new professionals (Our Advocacy Role)
- Link back to Student Planning Organizations
- Advocate for AICP accreditation
- Work to retain recently graduated planners in Michigan
- Participate in the Student MAP Conference
EPP is able to bridge needs between recent graduates and professionals (Our Professional Development Role)
- Provide assistance to recent graduates
- Provide opportunities to get recognition and take a leadership role
- Provide education and skills-building to fill the gaps in knowledge
- Develop relationships within the profession
Interested in joining? Contact MAP staff Andy Larsen (alarsen@planningmi.org).
