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 January 2025 Student Bulletin:
Opportunity Spotlight:
MAP’s 2025 Pro-Housing Webinar Series
Scholarships (for planning students) actively accepting applications and professional growth opportunities:
Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission: Planning Intern (Deadline: 2/25): More information
Provide support to a team of planners; collect data for planning projects related to transportation, community development, solid waste planning and other various activities
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. (find the job description called "College Internship Program")
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. (email the contact to submit an application).
Canton Township: Planning Services Intern (Deadline: 3/4): More information
The Canton Township Planning Services Division will be hiring interns soon! This summer, the interns will be working on urban forestry, reviewing site plans for several major developments, and transportation planning.
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.
