What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on so far as a Graduate Planner with Dublin City Council?  

The most exciting project I’ve worked on so far involved the proposed demolition of a house close to a special area of conservation. The assessment required detailed environmental considerations, which was exciting because I am particularly interested in that aspect of planning. 

How does it feel knowing your work directly impacts communities?

I get a great sense of satisfaction knowing my work directly impacts communities. The welfare of communities is at the forefront when assessing development proposals, and it’s one of the reasons I was attracted to planning in the first place. My background is in sociology, and I have always had an interest in societal issues. I’m very proud to play a part ensuring that the right development happens in the right places and benefits local communities.  

What’s your favourite part of the job?

My favourite part of the job is working for an organisation that strives to serve the public. I also really appreciate the multidisciplinary aspect of the job. I often engage with other departments in the council, like the transportation and the archaeological departments, to get their input on a planning application. It's exciting and makes it feel like I am part of a wider network.  

Do you spend more time in the office, out on-site, or meeting people?

Most of the time I’m in the office, but I also carry out site visits regularly. The site visits are really enjoyable because I can get out and get a real sense of the area I have been assigned to. I’m also sometimes invited to join site tours of larger projects related to Dublin City Council. This has included a boat tour of Dublin Port, a tour of the TU Dublin’s campus in Grangegorman, and a tour inside the Fruit and Vegetable market in Smithfield where we got to hear about the planned redevelopment of this historic building. The variety is unlike any previous job I’ve had.  

How has the mentoring and development program helped you in your career?

The mentoring and development program has been very beneficial. It’s provided a level of support which is important for graduates starting their careers. I have been assigned a mentor since starting my position and they’ve been on hand to answer all my queries. We’ve had very useful one-to-one conversations about my progress and how I am adjusting to my new surroundings. It’s reassuring to know that this level of support is available.  

What’s one thing you’ve learned in this job that you didn’t expect?

I didn’t expect the level of detail that goes into each assessment for a planning application, and all the factors that need to be considered. Depending on the context of the site, an application for a development may require a shadow analysis report, a drainage report, an archaeological report, and so on. It was a real eye-opener to see how things operate.