An Unconventional Path of Career Twists and Turns

Saturday, April 1, 2023

3:30 PM – 4:15 PM CDT

Location: 120A

CM | .75

Moderator and Speaker(s)

AP

Aaron Pfannenstiel

Riverside, California

Speaker(s)

MB

Matthew Burris (he/him/his)

Rancho Cucamonga, California
Miguel A. Vazquez, AICP (he/him/his)

Health Equity Urban and Regional Planner
Riverside University Health System-Public Health
Riverside, California
Angela Puerta, AICP (she/her/hers)

City Planner
City of Madison
Madison, Wisconsin

What happens if you are passionate about a topic that isn't yet recognized within the planning profession? What happens if there are no jobs that allow you to channel that passion into a planning career? Learn from four planners who have spent nearly two decades channeling their passions and desires into opportunities to integrate health and equity into their daily lives. Panelists discuss how they expanded their mindsets, daily tasks, and professional endeavors while building and expanding the understanding and practical applications of addressing health and equity in their communities.

Planning is a diverse profession that is rapidly adapting to the changing needs of communities. However, it is hard to identify what planning positions and careers may be available to fill that need.

NPC Peer Reviewers assigned this presentation a learning level of Foundational. For more on learning-level descriptions, visit our General Information Page.

Learning Objectives:

Identify nontraditional paths that planners can take toward their ideal jobs.
Support and influence health and equity outcomes outside of the city planning department.
Understand that addressing inequities comes in all shapes and sizes.