Careers

City Planning

As urban populations continue to swell, city planners play an increasingly vital role in finding sustainable ways to develop urban land and infrastructure. City planners collaborate with local municipalities on zoning, land use, public health, transportation, and housing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of city and regional planners is expected to grow 16 percent from 2010 to 2020.

Urban Design & Architecture

Urban design incorporates city planning, architecture and landscape architecture to create a more livable, scenic and sustainable environment. It’s about improving how residents navigate their city by leveraging and highlighting a city’s physical qualities. A BA in Urban Studies can provide a solid grounding for 2-3 graduate degrees in Architecture and Urban Design.

Nonprofit Organizations

Community service agencies, advocacy groups and hospital, retirement and rehabilitation centers (to name a few) are always looking for skilled grant writers, researchers, fundraisers, managers and counselors. Consider double majoring or minoring in an area that you could specialize in.

Law

Land use law is a significant component in the development of urban land. Lawyers specializing in land use law help developers navigate issues of property rights and local developmental controls.

Local Government

An Environmental Studies degree is well suited to jobs in local politics and governance. Graduates could well serve in mayors’ offices, for city council members and city managers, as well as public policy think tanks. Students can look into the possibilities of a Masters in Public and Urban Affairs, offered at USF, for careers in urban politics, city governance and public policy.

Employers

Here is a partial list of companies that our alumni have worked for:

• BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.
• Blue Energy
• California Academy of Sciences
• City of Seattle
• CLEAResult
• Digital Realty
• East Bay Municipal Utility District
• Foggy River Farms
• Hult International Business School
• Infab Corporation
• Marin School
• Marketo
• Peterson Mechanical, Inc.
• PG&E
• Prince Lobel Tye, LLP
• Restoration Hardware
• Save The Waves Coalition
• Seattle Urban Farm Company
• SkyAngels
• Smart Gardener
• Spatial Informatics Group, LLC
• Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles
• Trumpet Behavioral Health
• University of Hawaii
• Wetland Consulting Services

More Info

For a more comprehensive list of potential career paths, schedule an appointment with a counselor from the University of San Francisco’s Career Services Center to chat about your options.