How Mentorship can Positively Shape the Future of the Planning Profession

Based on years of collaborating together for Toronto Metropolitan University’s Placement Program at the School of Urban and Regional Planning, we have learned and seen first-hand the positive impact mentoring has on early-career planners. And as we face unique city-building challenges combined with a shortage of planners in Ontario, mentorship in the planning profession is a vital piece of the puzzle. If there was ever a time to get involved as a mentor, the time is now.
 
An evolving industry
 
The planning and development industry in Ontario is constantly changing. Over the last couple of years, we have experienced unprecedented growth pressures, housing affordability issues and economic shifts – something the planning industry has taken an active role in solving. And more often than not, planners and their industry colleagues are at the centre of these conversations.
 
But one thing is vital to consider. The growing pressures on planning and industry professionals come at a time when Ontario is also experiencing a shortage of planners. According to the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI), Ontario’s supply of planners is not keeping up with demand. This begs the following questions – How will this impact the future of the planning profession and the future of our communities? How can we prepare and support our industry to tackle some of the most complex housing, environmental and development challenges?
 
Mentorship as a tool for expanding knowledge and breaking down barriers
 
While there is not an all-in-one solution – there is one part of the solution that needs to be highlighted – mentorship. Mentorship plays a crucial role in ensuring that early-career planners are exposed to and equipped to manage city-building pressures. It is through mentorship that relationships are built, that creative solutions are fostered, and that historical industry knowledge and know-how is passed on. It is also through meaningful mentorship that diversity of thought, knowledge, and experience can inform our professional practices, that barriers to accessing professional experiences can be broken down, and that early career planners can be set up for success and more meaningful practice down the line.
 
We have both worked in this industry for many years and have seen how mentorship has shaped some of the industry’s smartest and brightest. And we have also seen how a mentee can bring fresh ideas, sometimes even nudging “boomer” planners into the 21^st century. Mentorship is more than just about traditional networking – it’s a tool that all planners at any career stage can benefit from. It’s about sharing knowledge, sharing experiences, sharing opinions, and ultimately fostering innovation in our professions and industry – at a time when we need it most. 
 
How to start your mentorship journey
 
There is no better time than now as a planner and industry professional to get involved in mentorship. We encourage all planners and development industry professionals to get involved. So, how can you get involved?
 

• Connect with OPPI to join their mentor and sponsorship list
• Mentor a new planner at your firm
• Connect with new graduates on LinkedIn
• Attend networking events geared towards new and upcoming grads
• Get involved with placement, internship, or co-op programs that provide meaningful professional work for students in planning school

 
If we want to break down barriers to access, bring new minds and life into the industry, it’s going to take a team effort. We’ve seen first-hand the impact that early career, energetic planners can have on shaping the industry, and the positive impact they can have on planning and development firms. So, let’s make it happen, together.