A Guide To Careers In Community Development

Community development -- the economic, physical, and social revitalization of a community, led by the people who live in that community -- offers a wide range of exciting and rewarding employment options. But until now, there has been no "road map" for professionals, volunteers, students, or anyone wishing to become involved in the field.A Guide to Careers in Community Development describes the many different kinds of community development jobs available, ranging from community organizing, to financing housing and new businesses, to redeveloping brownfields. It offers advice on how to break into the field along with guidance for career advancement and lateral movement.Following an introductory chapter that offers an overview and definition of community development and its history, the authors describe: different institutions in the field and how they fit together pros and cons of community development careers, with a self-assessment quiz for readers to use in analyzing their suitability for the field the work and skills involved in different kinds of positions how to prepare for and move up in a career how to land that first job Also included are detailed appendixes that provide information on job descriptions with salary ranges; universities and colleges offering community development curricula; training programs; where to look for job announcements; internet resources; internships, fellowships, and volunteer positions; and much more.A Guide to Careers in Community Development is an essential reference for anyone interested in working in the community development field, including graduate and undergraduate students, volunteers, and mid-career professionals seeking a more fulfilling line of work.

This book makes the case that career development practice is a mental health intervention, and provides skills and strategies to support career development practitioners in their work. It explores how practitioners do more than help people navigate career paths, they change people's lives in ways that improve mental health and overall well-being.

The book tells you everything you need to know to start an career or change the direction of your current career in politics, government, or activism.

An ideal introduction to community planning for students, planners, local officials, community leaders, and citizens. Two experienced educators offer a general introduction to planning, including the elements of the comprehensive plan, and the tools of plan implementation. Each chapter includes a continuing case study of Rivertown, a fictitious community used for planning exercises. Practical examples and case studies from across the United States supplement the text.

Becoming an URBAN PLANNER Are you considering a career in urban planning? Becoming an Urban Planner is the best place to start. Through in-depth interviews with more than eighty urban planners across the United States and Canada, this book gives you a valuable insider’s look at your future profession as it is lived and practiced. Becoming an Urban Planner introduces you to the urban planning profession—its history, what you must know to prepare for a career in planning, and the different types of planning jobs. Beyond the basics, though, it shows you the realities of what it’s really like to be a planner today. You’ll learn about: The skills you’ll need and how to hone them in school and on the job Potential career paths and what people in these positions do Using internships, job shadowing, and other opportunities to break into the field Deciding among planning specialties and moving between public and private sectors How to search for and get your first position Emerging areas in planning, including sustainability and climate change Each topic is explored through in-depth interviews with both generalists and others who have devoted their careers to a particular aspect of planning. These professionals share their insights and describe how they have arrived at where they are and how beginners like you can learn from their experiences. With the information from this book to guide and inspire you, you will be able to chart your own path to success as an urban planner.

"Job-centered economic development" integrates approaches from the fields of economic development, employment training, social services and community development. Its strategies focus on connecting disadvantaged adults and youth to family-supporting jobs in their towns, cities and regional economies, and ensuring that these jobs are sustainable, thus providing the basis for long-term careers. This collection of perspectives helps tie those approaches together into a guide for community development and local economic development professionals.