OCS Conference Funding Submission

Event Photo:

Photo taken at the super planner photo booth.

Conference Registration

Name: Lia Clark

Degree Program: MASTER OF URBAN PLANNING

Specialization: MUP-City and Community Planning

Conference Host Organization/Institution: American Planning Association

Conference/Competition Name: National Planning Conference

Conference Term: Spring Conference Start Date: 2025-03-28 Conference End Date: 2025-03-31

What were your takeaways from this conference/case competition?
I really enjoyed this conference experience and found it an incredible networking and learning opportunity.
Throughout the conference I met with many amazing people and came away with three potential job leads for my PER requirement. Additionally, I connected with a mentor through the conference and they expressed interest in visiting Wagner next Fall to speak at an UPSA event.
Additionally, I learned a lot about sustainable planning - something I haven't had the opportunity to learn yet at Wagner. It was a great way to supplement my knowledge and fill my gaps in learning.

How will your participation in this conference/case competition support your professional development?
This conference supported my professional development because I learned how to connect with new folks and came away with job leads. Hopefully I am able to complete my PER requirement with one of these leads. I also got the contact information of many working professionals that I am now in touch with to learn more about the planning world. In particular, I connected with a planner from Vermont (where I am from and where I would like to return to). We were able to talk about rural planning and the future of planning in VT.

What are some next steps or action items this conference/case competition inspired?
Next fall, I am hoping to invite the connection that I made to come to NYU Wagner and speak at an UPSA student event. We have stayed in touch about this possibility and I think it would be a really cool experience for Wagner students. Additionally, I have been reaching out to people I met via Linkedin to ask for potential internship positions or just future guidance. I had one call with the planner I met from Vermont through which I learned a lot.

What are some tips or best practices that you would like to share with other Wagner students who attend a conference/case competition?
I would recommend wearing good shoes! You have to dress business causal, but it is a lot to be on your feet all day in uncomfortable shoes. I would also recommend not being afraid to go up to people and just ask for their linkedin or if they are hiring. They are expecting this at these kinds of events!

Wagner Areas of Impact: Cities, Finance, Government, Health, Housing, Inequality, Race, and Poverty, Leadership, Nonprofits, Transportation