A Guide to Careers in Community Development

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Summary: Finally, community development coming of age
Review: Ever heard the joke about the city planner who married his wife just so he wouldn't have to explain what city planning is on another first date again? Community development is often even harder for the general masses to comprehend, and yet we are a part of it all the time. CD is basically what happens when neighbors get together and decide they want a better neighborhood, where people can afford to live and still feel safe, still find economic opportunity and a sense of community. Over the last generation, a whole industry and profession has grown around this simple idea. CD is something you can now get a masters degree in. Most people in the CD field entered it through a back door. Today's CD professional is more than a person with good intentions. He/she has skills in real estate development, group facilitation and strategic planning, public policy analysis, and finance. This book is the first of its kind--an actual front door into the field--and it's a godsend for anyone considering a challenging and meaningful career in making neighborhoods better. The book gives great background on the industry, has real case studies with leaders--as well as everyday joes--in the field, lists common job titles and responsibilities, and even estimates pay scales. It's an ambitious, yet slim, readable book that delivers what it promises.

Rating:
Summary: Great Guide to Great Careers
Review: Excellent guide for anyone considering or already starting out working or volunteering in the field of community development (CD) human services, economic development, planning, banking, politics. Comprehensive, well written, reader friendly, up to date, with specific tips and examples. Features: Concise overview of broadly interpreted CD industry and movement in U.S. of community renewal, organizing, planning, construction, financing, managing in lower income or disinvested communities. Great profiles of those working in the field from many walks of life, levels of formal education. Numerous profiles of nonprofits, for-profits, congregations, and public agencies leaders in CD. Good section on figuring out if this field for you and listing of pros and cons. Best ever appendices featuring texts, web sites, job hunting resources, schools, and portals, and organizations. Read in one one hour what has taken many several years to figure out. Great for guidance counselors, career services departments at universities. Useful too to educate board members and interns or philanthropists.