Elevating Early Career Voices in Planning, ft. Megan Musolf, City of Carpinteria

Environmental Leadership Chronicles

In this episode, we meet with Megan Musolf (she/her), Assistant Long-Range Planner for the City of Carpinteria. Megan shares her journey from studying Environmental Studies at UC Santa Barbara to building a career as a planner in the public sector, where she works to implement the City's Housing Element programs through zoning code amendments. We discuss how student advocacy shaped her housing policy perspective, and what it means to grow a network early in your career. She also serves as the Social Media Officer for the Central Coast Section of the American Planning Association (APA). Megan offers thoughtful insights for emerging professionals and a fresh take on the evolving role of young planners today.

Megan also walks us through her involvement in the controversial Munger Hall project at UCSB, illustrating a real-world application of environmental planning and policy advocacy. The episode explores the evolving role of young planners in shaping urban environments, the importance of professional organizations in career development, and the unexpected challenges and learning curves in transitioning from academic life to full-time employment. Tune in to hear Megan's fresh insights and why the fight for sustainable and community-centered housing remains crucial in today's urban landscape.

The opinions Megan shares today are her own and don't represent the official views of the City of Carpinteria. She's here sharing her personal experiences and perspectives.

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy.