The spirit of the organization is to encourage students to explore their interest and potential in the field and to have fun interacting with other students. We are also persuing other forms of funding to help offset the cost of airfare. In addition, when you sign up to volunteer for 8 hours at the conference the registration fee is waived. Average salaries vary by education, type of employer, experience, size of community in which the planner works and geographic location. Most new jobs will be in affluent, rapidly growing communities.
Local government employs two out of three urban and regional planners.
An increasing proportion of planners work in the private sector for companies involved with research and testing or management and public relations. Others are employed in state agencies dealing with housing, transportation or environmental protection. A small number work for the federal government.