Hello, Bonjour, and welcome back to Plan2Plan, the Canadian Institute of Planners magazine, written for students by students. This being the first issue of the school year, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of the new students entering planning schools across Canada and a special thanks to the students of Dalhousie for hosting my visit this September. Congratulations to all of you on choosing an exciting academic discipline, one filled with both challenge and reward.

As you begin your studies or return to them, remember to make the most of your experience and to get engaged in the activities of your student association and the professional bodies that represent you. The opportunities that are laid out for you will help to shape your future and provide a foundation from which to build your professional career. Although it can be daunting to manage your academic career with volunteer opportunities, I highly encourage you to do so. You will reap the benefits of your involvement, and as someone wise once told me, “the more you put in, the more you get back.” Don’t waste the chance to meet new people, make new connections, and contribute to strengthening the planning profession in Canada.

As some of you may know, this is not only the first issue of the year, but also my last issue of Plan2Plan. My term as your representative to the Canadian Institute of Planners is coming to a close and the new student rep, Daniella Fergusson, will take over beginning in October. I would like use my last publication as an opportunity to thank all of the students who have worked so hard to contribute to Plan2Plan, the CAPS Conference, the CIP, and the provincial Affiliates. You have made a valuable contribution to your profession and your work does not go unappreciated. I would like to send a special thank you to the students of SCARP at UBC; you have helped me along this journey by contributing so many great articles and tolerating my endless barrage of emails. Thank you.

Again, I wish you the best of luck in completing your studies or beginning your careers. The last year of my life would not have been the same without this experience and I am forever grateful. Please keep in touch and if you are ever at UBC, feel free to drop in and say “hi” to me at the TREK Program Centre.

Adam Cooper

BACK TO TOP