As a planning student stepping into a professional networking event, you quickly realized that meaningful connections and unexpected career insights often start with a simple hello!
 
 
Group shot of many of the alumni and student volunteers who organized the Spring Reception. Photographs by Shiraz Ali | www.shirazali.ca

The 26th Annual Planning Alumni Spring Reception, hosted by the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) School of Urban and Regional Planning Alumni Association (SURPA), was held on May 22nd at the Beautiful Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Originally founded by Anthony Biglieri to connect planners, developers, and the TMU community, the Spring Reception has grown into a valued tradition that provides a space for emerging planners and professionals to connect, share ideas, and build meaningful relationships.

These events offer undergraduates and graduate students a chance to learn from experienced professionals and explore new opportunities. For alums and professionals, they are a space to reflect on the field and support the next generation of planners. This blog shares different perspectives on what the evening meant to those who attended and how these conversations and connections shape the planning community.
 
 
 View of some of the attendees of the Spring Reception. Photographs by Shiraz Ali | www.shirazali.ca

From left to right: Britanny Lee, Founder of Urban Techies; and student volunteers Sunny Ahmed, Audy Noor, Rawan Morgan, Liam Vu, Christian Intendencia, and Wilkie Whale. Photographs by Shiraz Ali | www.shirazali.ca

Graduate Pathways to Professional Success 

Attending your first networking event can feel both exciting and overwhelming. As MPl students at TMU who are engrossed in navigating the early stages of our planning career, events like the Spring Reception offer a rare and valuable opportunity to step outside the classroom and connect directly with professionals shaping the built environment. The Spring Reception, in particular, is more than just an evening of introductions; it's a celebration of our planning community. It bridges the gap between school and practice, and it's heartening to know that proceeds support TMU planning student bursaries, directly investing in the next generation of planners.

As graduate students, networking is especially important. Many of us are looking to transition into full-time roles or secure summer internships. Events like the spring reception let us ask candid questions about different career paths, whether in the public sector, private firms, or non-profits, and hear how others navigated the same uncertainties we're facing. Even a five-minute chat can turn into a mentorship or a job lead.
 
Students had several great discussions throughout the event, discussing garden suites and their impact on Toronto's housing sector, differences between working in the private and public sectors and gaining tips for interviewing in urban planning roles. While all the job-related information was demonstrably useful, some of the most special interactions of the Spring reception came from the small informal moments that allowed students to lower their guard and made the professional setting less intimidating. Just having a casual chat about summer plans or activities ongoing in Toronto was special, and it let conversations flow more organically. It is exemplary in showing how networking events are not just about searching for opportunities but forming connections.

 
More attendees of the Spring Reception enjoying the networking. Photographs by Shiraz Ali | www.shirazali.ca

Why Connections Matter

Connections matter in urban planning. They're how ideas get shared, how people learn from one another, and how opportunities start to come up. These conversations can be really insightful for students and people just starting out.
 
In a profession that's all about working together to shape cities and impact communities, these kinds of connections create lasting relationships and a sense of belonging in an ever-evolving field. They help you learn and grow alongside others to help emerging planners pave their path in planning.

 
TMU alumni and SURPA volunteers (left to right): Brittany Wong (2020), Neil Loewen (2016), and Danielle Culp (2018). Photographs by Shiraz Ali | www.shirazali.ca

Final Thoughts…

While networking events can feel daunting for many young professionals, they are great opportunities to meet new people and make connections in the field in a formal and informal setting. While the venue may feel quite professional, and many attendees are dressed relatively formally, there is also a free-flowing, informal atmosphere where conversations can stray away from work-related topics, allowing our more personal and human sides to show. While a conversation may begin by discussing our work and professional aspirations, it can quickly become a conversation about our interests and experiences outside of work, such as our hobbies, recent trips, or favourite sports teams. As young professionals, we should not underestimate the power of these less formal conversations. They humanize us and reveal more about who we are outside of work. In some cases, conversations that establish these more personal connections with fellow professionals can be the most memorable ones that help you stand out.
 
If you're a fellow student or recent grad wondering whether it's worth attending a networking event, it’s highly recommended. Approach planning networking events as an opportunity to learn what draws professionals to this field and what inspires them. Be curious, ask questions, and don't be afraid to introduce yourself. You never know where one conversation might lead. Ask for advice and listen to their stories. These conversations can help you figure out where you want to go and how to start paving the way for your own journey.