Navigating Town Planning Internships: Requirements and Opportunities
Internships in town planning offer invaluable real-world experience, providing students and graduates with a crucial stepping stone into the profession. These opportunities allow individuals to apply their academic knowledge, develop practical skills, and build professional networks. Securing a town planning internship typically involves meeting specific requirements and showcasing relevant skills and experiences.
Benefits of Town Planning Internships
Town planning internships provide students with real-world experience that employers look for and a competitive edge in the job market. Gain insight into the profession through hands-on experience and mentorship through an internship. These internships offer opportunities to learn and work closely with team members. Internships provide students with real-world experience that employers look for and a competitive edge in the job market. Some internships offer to pay and some do not.
Types of Internships
Intern projects may range from downtown public realm planning to neighborhood plans to open space system planning. Roles can include writing, research, data analysis and GIS mapping, community engagement opportunities, graphic communication/visualization, and storytelling.
Essential Requirements for Town Planning Internships
Educational Background
Many internships are geared towards students pursuing a Master of Urban and Regional Planning or related fields. If you're pursuing a Master of Urban and Regional Planning, you are required to complete a 200-hour internship. Some programs require students to participate in a 200-hour internship after completing their third year studio courses.
Skills and Abilities
Technical Skills
Strong abilities in GIS and Adobe Creative Suite are preferred. Strong abilities in AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and digital modeling are required.
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Communication and Collaboration
The role will require a commitment to consistent collaboration and communication within our team and our design partners as well as the ability to dig deeply into technical research and problem-solving.
Multilingual Fluency
Multilingual fluency is a plus.
Application Process
Application Materials
To apply, submit your letter of interest, current resume, work samples (no bigger than 20 megabytes), and names/contact info for at least two references through the Internship Application form.
Deadlines
Applications are due by Sunday, February 15 at 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be considered.
Examples of Internship Experiences
Agency
Agency is seeking interns for Summer 2026! Agency is seeking an urban planning or urban design intern for Summer 2026. Agency is seeking an intern landscape designer with strong graphic skills and a passion for the public realm for Summer 2026. We are looking for applicants who love to sketch ideas and visualize them, iterate design alternatives, enjoy working in teams, and want to learn about construction documents. Agency is a passionate and hands-on team.
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LA Metro
“LA Metro’s Spatial Analysis and Research department has fostered a great learning environment for me to further develop my GIS and report writing skills. I have enjoyed applying the technical, written, and communication skills I have gained in the MUP program to support Metro’s planning department in translating complex data into actionable insights that guide planning decisions."
Mayor Eric Garcetti’s LARiverWorks team
“Price’s Graduate Student Internship Fund scholarship enabled me to continue work with Mayor Eric Garcetti’s LARiverWorks team, supporting its revitalization plan and mapping the social profiles of communities along the L.A. River. Putting planning in action and seeing the practitioner’s view really underscores the value of self-initiative in government."
Examples of Internship Projects and Responsibilities
Art Rodriguez & Associates Consulting (2025)
Formed proposals and applications submitted to municipalities on behalf of large chain retailers and restaurants to obtain business liquor licenses.
Chicago Metropolis 2020
Completed Chicago Metropolis 2020 case study, Homes for a Changing Region report. The report suggested that municipalities adopt a comprehensive housing policy plan for communities that include: Transit Oriented Developments, Bus Rapid Transit and Live/Work housing options to meet the needs of the projected population in 2020.
Chinese Academy of Urban Planning and Design (CAUPD)
Worked on two specific planning projects: Suzhou City Master Plan and the Beijing Central Business District East Extension Area Design Competition. Provided data in English and compiled case studies for international examples relevant to the project sites. Worked on three planning projects: Hainan Province Master Plan, Baoji City Master Plan and Master Plan for the spatial development of Baima Lake District. Completed case studies for relevant projects and participated in field trips to corresponding sites. Exchanged ideas with clients, project managers, and landscape architects.
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City of Los Angeles Planning Department
Worked on environmental clearances for discretionary cases pending with the Office of Zoning Administration and the Advisory Agency. Assessed development projects per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the City of Los Angeles’ CEQA Thresholds Guide.
City of San Jose, Environmental Service Department
Worked on a high profile environmental resource center designed to LEED platinum standards in a community historically with low participation in recycling.
City of San Ramon, Department of Transportation Planning
In concert with the Transportation Analyst, developed strategic plan to implement Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs for the business community. Provided input to the development of marketing materials for employer-based transit incentive program. Worked in collaboration with Transportation Analyst on the development of student transit ticket program.
Community Redevelopment Agency/Los Angeles
Managed the façade program by communicating project status between contractors, architect, project manager assistant and business client. Conducted neighborhood survey around the Goodyear tract.
Lalloo Weeks LLP
Performed outreach activities to expand the business. Performed research to find new leads and to discover which services would be most appropriate for each firm.
Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning
Assisted and prepared the General Plan update for the unincorporated areas of the County of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
Assisted in developing and identifying strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by creating a sustainability program plan for the MTA. Conducted legislative research related to climate change reports and identified best practices to implement sustainable programs. Hosted quarterly Sustainability Roundtable meetings.
Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation
Worked in conjunction with the Business Assistance Team in implementing the Layoff Aversion Grants secured through American Reinvestment and Recovery funds to assist “at risk” businesses in Los Angeles County.
PSOMAS
Researched and analyzed public records and prepared zoning project summaries and expedited entitlement activities with government agencies. Assisted Project Managers on the entitlement process ranging from affordable housing projects to mixed-use commercial projects.
Securing an Internship
It is the student’s responsibility to secure an internship. The planning program routinely notifies students about available internship opportunities throughout the academic year. Internships are arranged with the assistance and approval of our department and may be undertaken after completing the department’s mandatory portfolio review process. Before you begin your internship, you must register with the department using the internship registration form. When you complete your internship, you will fill out a self-assessment form.
Locations
Students seeking internships are not limited to area employers and may pursue work in other regions and states. Internship positions within North Carolina can be found through the links below. Some of our best students are sponsored by surrounding towns and government organizations in Muncie, Anderson, Carmel, and Indianapolis to name a few.
Academic Credit
Up to three hours of academic credit is available for internships, and internship credits can count as an elective toward fulfilling degree requirements. Typically, students sign up for PLAN 3038 (a PLAN elective) for three hours of credit (minimum of 150 hours of work) and complete the internship during a summer session following their junior year of study. However, internships can be completed at other times as well.
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