INSIGHT - Edition Ten - Winter 2021 online - Flipbook - Page 25
MY INTEREST IN
PLANNING STEMS
FROM A PLACE OF
GENUINE INTRIGUE
INTO HOW PEOPLE,
PLACES, AND CITIES
OPERATE
How long have you been at youngsRPS, and can you give
us an overview of what you do day to day?
I started a role full time at youngsRPS in September this
year. Whilst new to the company as well as to the industry,
it has been both challenging and engaging to delve into the
multi-faceted industry that is planning. Due to the nature
of consultancy, no two days prove the same – its fast-paced
environment is one of the many reasons why it is so enjoyable.
One day you could be working on a major residential scheme
which has the prospect to transform an entire community,
and the next you could be on-site speaking to a farmer,
whilst being warmly welcomed by a selection of animals.
What drew you towards planning?
After graduating, I begun to explore what I could best achieve
with my career, and planning is something that really stood
out to me. It’s difficult to explain what it was precisely that
attracted me towards the planning industry, but I guess
this stems from the fact that it wasn’t just one thing that
attracted me to the industry, it was an amalgamation of
things.
I’ve always had a strong interest in people and places. I
am fascinated by them. Why we act the way we do, how
we are shaped by those around us, how our sense of place
simultaneously influences people whilst benefiting from
their input at the same time. My interest in planning stems
from a place of genuine intrigue into how people, places and
cities operate across a symbiotic scale. For me, planning is
the means of managing such a scale.
What has been your greatest achievement so far?
It’s difficult to state my greatest achievement to date because,
with a level of candour, I believe my greatest achievement is
still yet to come. Yes, I have achieved things within my life
that I am proud of, such as completing my undergraduate
degree, but to say this is my greatest achievement is not
entirely accurate. In 5 to 10 years’ time, I know that what I
will achieve will hold a higher level of value than that which
I have achieved to date, whether it be on a professional or a
personal level. That being said, there is a notable achievement
of mine, one which has scaled over time; my ability to apply
myself to tasks presented to me together with a continued
desire to learn and venture into the unknown. Granted, these
are not classified as your typical achievements, but for my
temperament, they hold real value, as they have enabled me
to get where I am today; a place in which I will be able to
grow and attain my greatest achievement.
What have you found most challengeing?
The greatest challenge, so far, has been the transition from
my master’s degree to professional practice. During my
academic studies the majority of my learning was centred
towards the theoretical side of planning. Whilst this has
proven useful during my time in consultancy, the practical
side of planning my studies forwent have proved to be
paramount within professional practice. That being said, I
am thoroughly enjoying the continual learning experience
;the opportunity to learn enables me to take the next steps
towards gaining my professional qualification.
Finally, do you have any tips for other Graduates hoping
to follow in your footsteps?
Get the best out of what you do by embracing challenge and
augmenting and expanding your knowledge. By overcoming
adversity you substantiate both your knowledge and your
experience, thus actualising a confidence and an ability in
yourself which you are then able to apply to other aspects
of life. This similarly ties in with the idea of doing things that
make you feel uncomfortable, pushing beyond your selfdefined capabilities and harnessing newly defined potential.
This is something that poses a daily challenge, but the
difference I have noticed since adopting such actions is a
level both tenable and infinitely worthwhile.
BY OVERCOMING
ADVERSITY YOU
SUBSTANTIATE BOTH
YOUR KNOWLEDGE
AND YOUR
EXPERIENCE
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