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.
More details from the January 2025 Student Bulletin:
Opportunity Spotlight:
2025 Student MAP Conference
Click this to register for the conference.
Scholarships (for planning students) actively accepting applications and professional growth opportunities:
Catalyst Leadership Circle Fellowship (Deadline: 1/29): More information
Summer internship placement, funding, and professional training for emerging sustainability leaders from across the state. Supported by the Michigan Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Catalyst Communities program.
APA Small Town & Rural (STaR) Planning James A. Segedy Award for Student Project (Deadline: 1/31): More information
Award given to an outstanding project by a graduate or undergraduate class or individual that addresses a planning issue facing small town or rural areas.
APA Women & Planning Division (WPD) Scholarship (Deadline: 1/31): More information
The 2025 EDI Scholarship provides up to $1,000 for a WPD student member to attend NPC25 (National Planning Conference) in Denver. Visit women.planning.org to apply, learn more, or join the division.
City of Sterling Heights College Internship Program (Deadline: 2/28): More information
The internship program will launch in May 2025. Departments include Planning, Parks & Recreation, City Management, City Development, etc.
City of Grand Rapids: Planning Intern -- Planning, Design, and Development (Deadline: 2/28): More information
The City of Grand Rapids is the second largest city in the State of Michigan and is the regional hub of western Michigan, one of the fastest growing regions in the United States.
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.
Active Planning Student Organizations in Michigan:
Michigan State University: Urban & Regional Planning Student Association (URPSA)
University of Michigan: The Urban Planning Students Association (UPSA)
Wayne State University: Wayne State Student Urban Planners (WSSUP)
Resources for students:
MAP Your Career Guides: LinkedIn Guide
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. Why should I have a LinkedIn? Does it really matter? (Hint: 5.2% higher pay is associated with richer public profiles according to Harvard Business Review)
Emerging Planning Professionals: Career Building Resource Guidebook
Prepared by the 2014 EPP 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.
