pursuing many interests make a young professional more marketable in a competitive job force. with the diversification of the planning field, non-profit organizations and private firms seek versatile individuals who enhance the planning approach by contributing multiple perspectives to the design process. Fortunately, planning is a flexible profession that could be manipulated to reflect one’s personal interests. What planning means to one professional, may not be what another planner makes of his or her profession. The amount of interests an individual may have is irrelevant to how effective they are in their career. What is important is how those interest translate into the individual’s method of engagement. Michael’s enthusiasm for language has been interpreted to his ability to communicate through data. Essentially, the use of GIS for a planner is the equivalent of the role of a translator; information that is too complex to understand can be broken down and communicated in a way that the user may understand and provide a myriad of useful tools beyond cartography. not only does michael possess a rich array of interests, the variety of useful skills have made him an asset within his department. as michael grows with his skills, his research will become stronger, and the his department will benefit and also grow along the way. In addition to captivating one’s interest through their work, staying motivated is also important. Through my conversations with other planners, I find that younger professionals tend to be more idealistic than an older professional. Even though planning schools may have been different in the past, sharing the motivation and enthusiasm for the field will influence colleagues’ level of engagement. The best way to maintain high levels of motivation and satisfaction with one’s career is to always be informed and inspired. Whether it be through books, workshops/lectures, or conversation, it is important to be satisfied and hopeful with your work and the impact that one possess as a designer.
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