In this volume, the author draws from more than a decade of editing experience to explain how to craft clear, understandable, and highly readable planning documents. The author suggests ways to overcome planners' most common writing foibles: acronymns, jargon, and overuse of the passive voice. And the author provides handy lists to transform mushy nouns into powerful verbs, pare down bloated sentences, and translate ""bureaucratese"" into everyday language. The author even includes practice exercises designed to help you recognize and overcome bad writing habits. But even the best writing skills won't help if your document is organized poorly and aimed at the wrong audience.The author also explains why it's essential to know who your readers are before you start writing and how to organize your work so that it will be easy to understand and use."

Now that your planning degree is in sight or in hand, how and where can you find your "dream job?" Once you're on the job, what can you do to not just survive, but thrive and avoid common professional pitfalls? In A Career Worth Planning, two veteran planners offer a road map for success. Packed with practical information and useful advice, it is must reading for planning students, new planners, and experienced planners looking to advance their careers.Career questions can paralyze beginning planners. What are the differences between working for a public planning agency or a private consulting firm? What does an employer look for in a job candidate? How can you set yourself apart from other job hunters through your resume and in an interview? A Career Worth Planning answers these tough questions and many others.But landing a job is only half the battle. Once you're there, how do you negotiate the career ladder, even in the most difficult circumstances? Here are nuggets of wisdom on how to deal with a bad boss, identify crucial "insiders" who can make or break your success on the job, clarify ethical conflicts, manage political land mines, and yes, even evaluate your job satisfaction and determine when you're ready to move on.Wherever you are along your career path, this book will help you assess your skills, preferences, and work style, and find the planning niche that fits you.

The ability to communicate effectively is the most valuable skill any employee can bring to the job. That's even more true for planners, who must frequently convey an abundance of very complex, technical information to people who don't share their planning background or vocabulary. Unfortunately, the language in planning documents frequently is so convoluted, bureaucratic, and padded that its meaning is lost or completely misunderstood. Here is help for planners who write. In Planning in Plain English: Writing Tips for Urban and Environmental Planners, Natalie Macris draws from more than a decade of editing experience to explain how to craft clear, understandable, and highly readable planning documents. She suggests ways to overcome planners' most common writing foibles: acronymns, jargon, and overuse of the passive voice. And she provides handy lists to transform mushy nouns into powerful verbs, pare down bloated sentences, and translate "bureaucratese" into everyday language. She even includes practice exercises designed to help you recognize and overcome bad writing habits. But even the best writing skills won't help if your document is organized poorly and aimed at the wrong audience. Macris also explains why it's essential to know who your readers are before you start writing and how to organize your work so that it will be easy to understand and use.

Now that your planning degree is in sight or in hand, how and where can you find your "dream job?" Once you're on the job, what can you do to not just survive, but thrive and avoid common professional pitfalls? In A Career Worth Planning, two veteran planners offer a road map for success. Packed with practical information and useful advice, it is must reading for planning students, new planners, and experienced planners looking to advance their careers.

Career questions can paralyze beginning planners. What are the differences between working for a public planning agency or a private consulting firm? What does an employer look for in a job candidate? How can you set yourself apart from other job hunters through your resume and in an interview? A Career Worth Planning answers these tough questions and many others.

But landing a job is only half the battle. Once you're there, how do you negotiate the career ladder, even in the most difficult circumstances? Here are nuggets of wisdom on how to deal with a bad boss, identify crucial "insiders" who can make or break your success on the job, clarify ethical conflicts, manage political land mines, and yes, even evaluate your job satisfaction and determine when you're ready to move on.

Wherever you are along your career path, this book will help you assess your skills, preferences, and work style, and find the planning niche that fits you.

Table of Contents

Part 1. 1. Starting your Career 2. The Planning Profession and You 3. What Employers Are Looking For 4. Landing Your First Job 5. What to Expect from Your Job 6. For Whom Are You Working? Part 2. 1.Developing Your Career 2. Essential Communication Skills 3. Essential Management Skills 4. Essential Political Skills 5. Twelve Traps to Avoid 6. Setting a Career Path for Yourself