I took the LSATs and thought about becoming an attorney. Then I took a city planning class while at the University of Michigan and that, coupled with my great love for New York City, made me head in the direction of city planning.

I loved working in the urban realm and there was lots going on as far as economic redevelopment in Michigan, but I wanted to come home. My first summer during graduate school, I worked for free in the city planning office in Queens. Later, I was lucky to land in the Brooklyn office of city planning in the mid-1990s after graduate school. That was a special time because much of Brooklyn was going from disinvestment to an era of regeneration. I knew I was participating in a changing landscape.

It was gratifying and exhausting. Many people in the neighborhood had been working on this project for a generation and seeing it realized was very satisfying.

While no day is typical of course, I spend a good deal of time troubleshooting construction and funding issues, interacting with elected officials to ensure their support and address any issues they have, and planning for future construction phases. Right now I’m transitioning my organization from one that plans and builds the park, to one that operates it as well and growing that organization to keep pace with the larger responsibilities of running a major destination park in New York City.

Building something that I know will last forever and making a real difference in the community.

Cutting through the red tape, regulations and bureaucracy!

Graduate school, specifically obtaining a Masters in Urban Planning is necessary, but work experience in the field is invaluable. Know your neighborhood, become conversant in design and community issues and then you will have a better view of the overall picture.

Certain states and urban centers require planning by law such as New Jersey, California, Chicago, Denver, Washington D.C., Boston and others. Sit in on your local community board meetings or a hearing on a zoning or land use matter, volunteer for a low income housing organization or sign up for an introductory course. Join your local civic group or read some of the classic books, like the Power Broker or The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs.

A great way to get a taste of planning, even without an advanced degree, is to work for a community, civic or advocacy organization or become a staff member for an elected official. Here you get a window on land use and public policy issues, which is a broad field, and it will help you decide if you want to pursue a graduate degree.

Gardening, reading, biking and spending time with my family.