Career Options after City Studies

What is City Studies?

City Studies is a Social Science that raises questions about urban planning and municipal policy. This multi-disciplinary program examines:

  • Economic competitiveness among cities
  • Transportation and congestion
  • Public infrastructure management
  • Environmental sustainability and conservation practices
  • Neighbourhood wellbeing and social inclusion/exclusion
  • Health, quality of life, and more.

What makes City Studies at UTSC unique?

  • An applied program focusing on real-world policy, planning, and community development issues
  • Experiential learning through service learning, community engagement, and co-op
  • Diverse group of full-time faculty who are established city builders, with whom students can work in workshops and research projects

Skills of City Studies Grads

  • Strong analytical and communication skills
  • Team work and project management skills
  • Foresee the effects of planning and actions
  • Observe people/data/things in an urban environment
  • Gather, organize, and evaluate land use data
  • Perceive patterns and structures in cities
  • Plan and develop long-term projects
  • Recognize cultural differences/similarities
  • Engage diverse stakeholders
  • See relationships among diverse factors
  • Survey and sample
  • Understand societal developments
  • Utilize statistical applications
  • Communicate urban policy issues and identify policy strategies

Entry-Level Jobs for Bachelor Grads

According to an informal survey of graduates, and resources like The Career Directory, common employment destinations include:

  • Outreach Coordinator in Social Services
  • Public Consultation Assistant in Government
  • Transportation Planning Associate in Consulting
  • Supply Analyst in Government Services
  • Junior Policy Analyst in Provincial Government
  • Junior Researcher in Think Tanks
  • Project Coordinator in Non-Profits
  • Junior Mapping Analyst in Property Development and Construction

City Studies Grads from UTSC have gone on to:

  • Region of Peel (Project Coordinator)
  • BMO (Mortgage Reviewer)
  • City of Toronto (Mapping Analyst)
  • QBE Insurance (Underwriter)

UTSC City Studies graduates are working in Operations, Marketing, and Social Service.

Graduate & Professional Studies

Popular further education opportunities include:

  • Urban Planning – Master
  • Social Work – Bachelor or Master
  • Politics – Master of Arts
  • Public Administration/Service – Master or Certificate
  • Law School – JD (Juris Doctor)
  • Paralegal Studies – Diploma
  • Project Management – Post-Graduate Certificate
  • Insurance & Risk Management – Certificate
  • Public Relations or Communications – Certificate

Examples of Fields that ‘Fit’ the Skills of City Studies Grads

  • Non-Profit Causes
  • Social Work
  • Marketing and Communications
  • Policy Research
  • Government (Federal, Provincial, Regional, Municipal)
  • Environmental Services
  • Real Estate
  • Urban Planning and Community Development

Your 4-Year Career Exploration Action Plan

1. Do Your Research

The databases below provide you with details about job prospects, nature of work, educational requirements, working conditions, pay and related career paths:

Attend our workshop Discover Your Skills and Career Options, meet with a Career Counsellor, and use our resources to get to know your skills, values, personality and interests.

Use the advice on our tip sheets for gathering information:

  • Information Interviews
  • Working On-Campus
  • Internships
  • Volunteering

2. Explore Career Options & Get Experience

Gain exposure to your options in the world of work and make connections while you’re a student via campus events and programs listed on cln.utoronto.ca and ccr.utoronto.ca:

Apply for Work Study jobs in CLN in Fall and Spring! You might also find work via the SCSU.

Find networking opportunities, internship programs and entry-level jobs via websites like TalentEgg and Charity Village.

As an upper year student (14+ credits), attend UTSC’s Get Hired conference and participate in Jobs for Grads.

As a graduate, explore internships and other trainee programs like Career Edge.

3. Build Your Network

Explore professional associations and get involved! Volunteer for their events and get to know people in your industry of interest. These are your future mentors, supervisors and colleagues!

Other associations and websites for finding networking opportunities and experience include:

Please note: This information is a starting point for your further research into career options in this field of study. For more information on this program and course requirements, please visit the Department of Human Geography website.