I Got Hired: Desiree

Posted on: 22 October 2024 by Ruby O'Sullivan in Class of 2023

Desiree Coker is a Class of 2023 Town and Regional Planning (MPlan) graduate who is now working as an Assistant Planner at DP9 Limited.

How did you hear about your role and decide to apply for it?

I heard about my role through a recruiter, I applied for it as I was taking the step to move from Liverpool to London and I needed a role in the South of England.

How did you get to where you are now?

Town planning is a niche field of work and study. Prior to studying Town and Regional Planning at university, I was trying to discover what careers implemented both geography and sociology, which led me to the world of planning. I managed to secure a work experience placement with Pegasus Group in sixth form to ensure I was making the right decision. I went back in the final year of university for another work experience placement which was a full circle moment considering I was last there at 17 years old with no knowledge of planning whatsoever, returning knowing I would soon be a planning graduate with a master's degree the following year.

I secured my first graduate job and started full time work at Cassidy and Ashton in Preston one month before graduation. I worked on small to medium sized schemes gaining foundational skills and the basics of the planning process and day to day life of a practicing planner, which was hugely different to the theory of planning you study for years in a lecture theatre. Claire Parker was my senior planner and mentor and was a huge part in showing me the ropes and helping me develop the skills which a good planner needs in the day-to-day life of the practice.

After spending 9 months at Cassidy and Ashton, I made the decision that I would benefit more from a larger team of planners and experiencing how they work, as well as getting to learn a larger range of projects helping my development. Alongside personal events, this led me to the decision that I would move and begin to look for planning jobs in and around London. I had various interviews and ended up interviewing with DP9 through a recruiter and secured the job after one online interview. Working up in a consultancy in Preston meant that I was not aware of DP9 and the magnitude of the work that they do within London. Having made the move to London and now being at DP9 for 6 months, I have worked and currently working on many large-scale projects and can lead on schemes, taking on a much larger position of responsibility in helping prepare planning submissions.

I am very lucky and grateful to be working with such a large range of directors who work on large and impactful schemes around London. Working in DP9 has quickly brought me up to scratch with the planning system in London which is very different to the schemes I would work on in Preston, which included a lot of green belt projects which you don’t come across in London! Planning in London is complex and has taught me a whole new way of thinking as a planner, diversifying my skill set. It has shown me the impact planning can have on an environment and has increased my motivations to work on significant developments, which will truly make a difference and notable impact in the urban environment physically, visually and socially.

Your favourite experience as part of your role?

My favourite part of my role is knowing that I have played an integral part in a scheme coming into fruition and being constructed. Getting planning permission for different projects leading them to be built out and these projects then become a part of people’s everyday lives whether that be living there, working there or making memories there.

The most challenging part of your graduate journey?

The most challenging part of my graduate journey was probably making the transition from the lecture theatre to the workplace. The practice of an everyday planner and completing those tasks can be worlds away from the theory you learn in the lecture theatre leading to work being very overwhelming and learning a whole new way of thinking as a practicing planner rather than a student learning about planning. Another challenging part of my graduate journey was transitioning from working on planning schemes in the north of England to planning schemes in the London boroughs. Every borough in London has different planning policies, planning complexities and planning attitudes, having to navigate numerous projects in several different boroughs all at once really broadened my ability to analyse and gather planning policies and arguments for different schemes.

Top 3 Tips for current students and graduates.

1. Get as much work experience in the field of your study as you can, not only will it help you in your studies and essays by deepening your understanding of the subject, but it will also help you with the transition from student to full time employee.
   
   
2. When looking for a graduate job, search far and beyond at opportunities which lie even outside of your comfort zone. There are so many companies out there with amazing benefit packages and opportunities, so don’t settle for the first thing you find or are offered out of fear that everyone around you is securing jobs and you don’t have one yet!
   
   
3. Enjoy it whilst you can, it’s only once you leave university you realise that although you remember the stress of deadlines and assignments, you remember the fun memories with your friends and classmates and the freedom of being in university more!

 
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