Reflecting on nearly 20 years in the planning profession, it's incredible to think how quickly the time has flown by. Throughout my career, both in Local Authorities and the private sector, I have been fortunate to collaborate with many knowledgeable individuals and contribute to a diverse range of schemes and projects. This wealth of experience has provided me with plenty to reflect on and build from.
(Source: Yan Krukau)
Part of this reflective journey has been the privilege of mentoring some of the brightest emerging talent in the planning field. Over recent years I have had the opportunity to support four candidates through their Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) APC submissions, helping them gain full chartered status, while also supporting a colleague through the Associate membership route.
Mentoring is far from a one-way street; it’s a rewarding, reciprocal process. Watching someone grow professionally under your guidance is deeply fulfilling, but it also offers a unique opportunity to learn from your mentees, especially as they bring fresh perspectives, research and expertise in niche areas. Personally, I find this part of my job highly rewarding. Mentoring allows me to continue my own professional development while passing on both the benefits and lessons learned from my own experiences – pitfalls included.
I am immensely grateful for the mentorship and support I have received from both former and current colleagues. For me, mentoring the next generation of planners is about paying that forward. It’s part of a continuous cycle of learning and development, one where knowledge and experience are shared and built upon.
Advice for Aspiring Planners
The best advice I can give to those starting out in their planning careers is don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. If you work within a Local Authority, you have a unique opportunity to gain a broad spectrum of experience. Try to spend time in various teams within the planning service to gain a wider understanding of the field.
For example, a six-month stint in the planning enforcement team might not sound like everyone’s ideal job, granted, but it is an invaluable way of gaining hands on experience dealing with real-life planning matters. You will develop strong people skills and learn about the various mechanisms available to address planning challenges.
Another excellent way to grow is by volunteering to attend planning appeals and public inquiries. Watching expert witnesses present evidence first-hand is invaluable, and you will gain an appreciation for how crucial it is to prepare thoroughly for cases. And don’t forget the importance of policy. Offer your help to the planning policy team during Local Plan preparations or attend Local Plan examination hearings. These experiences will give you insight into effective policy writing from multiple perspectives.
If you are working within a private consultancy, you may well already have exposure to a wide variety of projects and are therefore less likely to be ‘pigeonholed’ into a certain role. However, the same principles apply. Take the initiative to assist or shadow more senior colleagues during meetings and site visits and don’t hesitate to ask questions!
Exposing yourself to a wide range of work and different areas of planning will help you become a more well-rounded professional, capable of reflecting on your experiences and navigating the next steps in your career with confidence.
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