work experience
Before graduation, students must undertake 48 weeks approved full time, paid employment related to the core interests of the program in a planning or planning-related office. This will generally be with a private development company; planning or environmental management consultant; government planning, housing and infrastructure department and statutory authority; or a local council.
Work experience is normally undertaken in the twelve months following Session 1 of Year 3. Employment of shorter duration can also count to the overall requirement. The minimum continuous length of employment with any one employer which will be counted as part of the 48 weeks is four weeks full time employment. Short periods (up to 24 weeks) of approved overseas study travel may also count at a discounted (half) rate toward the overall work experience requirement.
All employment placements must be approved by the Planning Program Head or a nominated staff member. Students will enrol in the two Work Experience course codes (PLAN 0081 and PLAN0082). The majority of positions are in Sydney, but an increasing number of opportunities are opening up overseas. The 'practical experience' year has been a unique and valuable component of the UNSW planning degree since its inception. The Planning and Urban Development program enjoys good ongoing relations with the planning industry and assists with local employment placement.
International Work Experience
A small number of students each year have received approval to undertake their work placement overseas. A number of international students from Hong Kong have secured work experience there with the Planning Department of the Government of Hong Kong and also with private planning, property and transport consultants.
Jake Poole (Year 4 in 2001) spent 12 months in the United States with
McCamant and Durrett Architects in Berkeley, California.
His story:
'I saw the industrial experience component as an opportunity to work with a cutting edge firm. I expanded my search to calling international firms that were doing ecological and socially focused projects. Only one, of perhaps ten reputed individuals contacted, was actually running an active firm… an architecture firm in California.
'I went to California to work, and work I did. I feel the largest gain from my experience was about learning the procurement processes of more socially and environmentally focused design. Also, during my year our firm handled over thirty projects, mainly medium density housing, and whilst I worked primarily on a few projects, I was able to follow the development of most.
'On the social front, I managed to live in various housing situations, including staying in one of my firm's previous developments. I was also very lucky to have my significant other join me for about half my time. And between work associates and the spectre of San Francisco, Berkeley and Silicon Valley, I had a lot of opportunity to have fun.
'Leaving friends, getting some cash together, and getting a visa can be challenging but do not let these things stop you. It is comforting to know there are some youth travel organizations in the CBD who can cover visa concerns with a little time and money. Looking internationally widely expanded my horizons for the future, and I would highly recommend this option.'
Tina Gallico, Gillian Goldmsith and Lee Kosnetter all did their work experience in the United Kingdom.
Tina is with Littman & Robeson, a leading central London-consultancy with a speciality in retail planning and involved in planning appeals. Gillian found an opening with Land Use Consultants, a multi-disciplinary environmental planning and landscape practice with offices near the British Library. Lee was based in Cambridge and worked with the Regional Planning and Growth Areas Team for the British Government Office for the East of England.
+61 2 9385 4799
