Embracing evolution in your career is key for impactful growth, and APA Orange Section’s 4th edition of CONVERSATIONS proves it! For this month’s CONVERSATIONS, we’ve gathered the young planners on the OC APA board.

These board members share their story about how they arrived in the planning industry with wonder and passion throughout the twists and turns of their journey.

Pursuing passion and your curiosities when deciding your career is a crucial key aspect of being able to push past the traditions that may limit growth and innovation, and this edition of CONVERSATIONS aims to show how young planners have made strives to do so.

When diving into this edition, you learn that sometimes the unexpected appears in the many stages of your career – and that’s okay! Whether it be discovering a new passion during lectures, meeting seasoned professors or professionals, or collaboration on a project that unlocks new goals – experiences throughout a career can uncover new passions and realizations no matter the stage! Being able to roll with the unexpected and embrace new paths allows innovative change to flourish.

Mia Yuen, Kathy Tran, Ebony Pradd, and Anastasia Grant all shared their paths and stories. They each highlighted how their career journeys have evolved as they launch onto a path of igniting purpose-driven IMPACT in the planning community. Each member is excited to create social and environmental change in their future endeavors as they continue to learn new skills, meet new challenges, and connect with other planners.

While diversion from a traditional path can be daunting, it can launch you toward a path of discovery, innovation, and lasting IMPACT, which is seen as these board members retell how they discovered their passions in their education and careers. In a changing world with infinite opportunity, we hope this issue of CONVERSATIONS (link) inspires you to embrace evolution in your career journey as well. Enjoy!