Metropolitan Studies

What can I do with this discipline/major?

For helpful resources on your career opportunities, explore the “What Can I Do with This Major” guides for urban studies.

Some common career titles for this major include:

• Urban and Regional Planners
• Survey Researchers
• Market Research Analysts
• Social and Human Service Assistants
• Social and Community Service Managers

For additional career information on duties, education and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations, visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

additional resources

Careers in Metropolitan Studies

• Education and Careers in Planning
• National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
• Planetizen
• Planning Careers
• Planners Web
• PubilcServiceCareers.org
• The Sierra Club
• Urban Studies and Affairs from CollegeBoard
• Urban Studies Journal
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Internships and Research Opportunities

Getting applied experience in your field is critical. The following resources will allow you to learn more about your department’s opportunities and process, as well introduce you to other major-specific internship posting resources. For information and support finding and receiving an internship in your major, contact your department's internship coordinator.

• Consider interning abroad! Search for opportunities by using the keyword "internship."
• International City Management Association Internships
• Maryland Office of the Public Defender
  
  • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People – Law Fellows Program
  • TU Metropolitan Studies Department – Internship Opportunities
  • Log in to Handshake to access Going Global and search for international internships

Careers and Jobs

The resources below are a starting point for your job search. In addition to making use of the Internet to do research, we encourage you to talk to people in the fields you are interested in (don’t forget to use TU’s Tiger Mentor Network) to learn more about specific opportunities and organizations.

• International City Career Network
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

Sample Resumes and Interview Questions

For major specific resume samples, we encourage you to look at the Sample Metropolitan Resume (PDF) in addition to our Sample Resume Database.

Below are sample interview questions for your field. In preparing for the interview, you’ll also want to review common interview questions (PDF) asked of all majors, thoroughly research the organization, dress professionally, and visit the interview skills section of the Career Center’s website. You can practice your interview skills online via Big Interview or schedule a mock interview with a Career Center staff member.

Interview Questions

Common industry related questions

• What interests you most about metropolitan studies?
• What are the biggest challenges facing urban cities?
• Why is urban planning important to you?
• What do you believe makes a happy and healthy community?
• What do you think are two of the biggest issues facing the Baltimore community?
• How would you go about addressing them?
• What are the most important attributes of a city planner?
• How would you measure the success of community development?

Professional Associations

Professional associations offer many benefits to students, often including reduced-price membership, mentorship programs, “careers in…” information, job and internship listings, field-related conferences and publications, and much more. Be sure to check out sections on the associations’ websites related to students, education, careers, etc.

• American Planning Association
• American Society for Public Administrators
• Global Planners Network
• International City Management Association
• International Economic Development Council
• Urban Affairs Association
• Urban Land Institute