KEY POINTS:
What: Bachelor of Planning.
Where: School of Architecture and Planning, National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries (NICAI), Auckland University city campus.
Contact: Ph 373 7999 or 0800 61 62 63, website makeyourmark.ac.nz.
Application closing date: December 8, 2008.
Prerequisites: The BPlan is a limited entry programme. Admission based largely on school marks or academic performance during previous tertiary study.
Starting salary: Graduates generally start at $55k and can move up to $70k within a couple of years.
Career opportunities: Planners work in local and regional councils, central government, consultancies and businesses.
Follow-on qualifications: Master of Planning (MPlan) and the Master of Urban Design (MUrbDes). The Master of Planning Practice (MPlanPrac) is also a professional degree recognised by the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI) and is available to those coming from undergraduate degrees other than planning.
Course info: There is an international shortage of planners and graduates are in great demand.
Students suited to planning are passionate about the world around them, think creatively, are computer literate and enjoy problem solving.
Students at Auckland University's School of Architecture and Planning cover a broad range of subjects including urban design, law, policy-making, community and economic development, Maori perspectives, cultural planning, infrastructure and environmental science.
In their first year, students explore the meanings of planning, learn about politics and policy-making processes, develop an understanding of the interaction between society and economics and think about sustainability and the human impact that humans have on nature and on each other.
They also learn basic skills for a planning career and communication, IT, statistical analysis and drawing; and design an urban neighbourhood.
In subsequent years they move on to more advanced study, with a diverse curriculum designed to produce a generalist planner.
Courses cover the disciplines of urban design, planning law, resource management, environmental science, policy analysis, community and economic development and landscape design.
After completion of the Bachelor of Planning (BPlan), students may apply for professional membership to the New Zealand Planning Institute, which is recognised internationally.
THE GRADUATE
Matt Skellern, 26
Coastal consents specialist at Auckland Regional Council
Graduated with BPlan May 2005
This is the type of role I wanted when I graduated.
I know it sounds cheesy but I wanted to make a difference and contribute to the environment. And planning does just that.
I didn't know that I wanted to do planning when I finished school, but there was a course that Jenny Dixon set up (now HOD at Auckland University) on resources and environmental planning at Waikato University.
The course combined economics, earth, science and geography papers and I did that in Tauranga.
In the summer I had a student job with Becker Carter in Tauranga.
I saw amazing projects planners were working on and was inspired.
The problem with the Waikato degree is that you had to work for seven years before being eligible for full membership under NZPI; as opposed to the Bachelor of Planning where you are eligible after three years.
So after my first year through Waikato I had all my papers cross-credited and did the Auckland University degree.
Now I am working with the coastline team at ARC.
I am passionate about the coastline.
We oversee development involving the region's coastlines to ensure that good environmental outcomes are achieved and that our coasts are managed in a sustainable way.
Plus I surf, that's my thing. With this job I have blended my lifestyle with my career.
I think the degree helped me to understand the bigger picture, the reason we do what we do.
Like what is sustainability, and what is planning?
I am also on the NZPI Council as National Student and Graduate Representative.
THE EMPLOYER
Andrew Benson, manager, Coastal Consents and Compliance, Regulatory Services with ARC
Matt has a position within the Coastal Consents and Compliance Team which manages all the consenting and associated compliance functions related to the coastal marine area, and works with customers and key stakeholders to educate and promote best practices for coastal activities.
It is a resource management role, as opposed to labelling it a planning role.
Important qualities for the role are understanding what the customer wants, good communication with the customer and other relevant parties and working within a team to deliver outcomes in a timely manner.
Matt demonstrated that he has the key competencies, skills, experience, qualifications and attributes, as well as enthusiasm, to fit and work in the team.
Matt's training and qualifications give him the basis to develop his expertise.
He understands the purpose and function of the various processes.
That understanding coupled with his technical skills, plus the input from others with the expertise he doesn't yet have, enables Matt to provide good advice to customers and decision makers.
