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Career change to planning - any advice?

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  • 12-08-2020 8:51am
    #1
    onrail
    Registered Users Posts: 1,028 ✭✭✭


    I'm currently working as a chartered geotech engineer and have been considering career change options for the last few years. While I'd wanted to get out of the construction game entirely, a start from the very bottom in IT or Accountancy would be tough going.

    Having provided some minor input to planning applications for one-off houses for friends an relatives over the last few years, practicing planning professionally could be an option - I came to a relaisation that I genuinely enjoy compiling applications, reviewing development plans etc.

    For those in the industry, I'd be interested to know what pay, security, employment prospects are like?

    I'm looking at a couple of education options - the MSc in Planning and Development from Queens in Belfast seems like a decent option. Any thoughts?


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    #2
    Pinch Flat
    Registered Users Posts: 7,761 ✭✭✭Pinch Flat


    Will you work in northern Ireland? If working in the republic, a course that is accredited by the IPI and also covers iriah legislation might be more apt.

    https://www.ipi.ie/membership/accredited-courses


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    #3
    rayjdav
    Registered Users Posts: 1,076 ✭✭✭rayjdav


    Is it as a Planning Consultant/Town Planner/Local Authority or in an office as a technician you are interested in?

    Compiling applications for planning is only a very minor part of the average job tbh. If private practice as consultant, there is a lot of legal aspects you'd need to be very familiar with. One off houses is small buttons.


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    #4
    onrail
    Registered Users Posts: 1,028 ✭✭✭onrail


    rayjdav wrote: »
    Is it as a Planning Consultant/Town Planner/Local Authority or in an office as a technician you are interested in?

    Compiling applications for planning is only a very minor part of the average job tbh. If private practice as consultant, there is a lot of legal aspects you'd need to be very familiar with. One off houses is small buttons.

    Planning consultancy (eventual freelance?) and possibly a Local Authority/public body would be the eventual aim. Yeah I’d imagine a sound knowledge of relevant legislation would be vital


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    #5
    onrail
    Registered Users Posts: 1,028 ✭✭✭onrail


    Pinch Flat wrote: »
    Will you work in northern Ireland? If working in the republic, a course that is accredited by the IPI and also covers iriah legislation might be more apt.

    https://www.ipi.ie/membership/accredited-courses

    More interested in working in the south, so yeah I get what you’re saying. The difference in fees is considerable though - I presume it’d be tough to get employment in ROI with a UK qualification?


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