A Guide to Careers in Community Development [Hardcover]

Paul Brophy (Author), Alice Shabecoff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2001 | ISBN-10: 1559637498 | ISBN-13: 978-1559637497 | Edition: 1

Community development - the economic, physical, and social revitalization of a community, led by the people who live in that community - offers a wide range of exciting and rewarding employment options. But until now, there has been no "road map" for professionals, volunteers, students, or anyone wishing to become involved in the field.

A Guide to Careers in Community Development describes the many different kinds of community development jobs available, ranging from community organizing, to financing housing and new businesses, to redeveloping brownfields. It offers advice on how to break into the field along with guidance for career advancement and lateral movement.

Following an introductory chapter that offers an overview and definition of community development and its history, the authors describe:

• different institutions in the field and how they fit together
• pros and cons of community development careers, with a self-assessment quiz for readers to use in analyzing their suitability for the field
• the work and skills involved in different kinds of positions
• how to prepare for and move up in a career
• how to land that first job

Also included are detailed appendixes that provide information on job descriptions with salary ranges; universities and colleges offering community development curricula; training programs; where to look for job announcements; internet resources; internships, fellowships, and volunteer positions; and much more.

A Guide to Careers in Community Development is an essential reference for anyone interested in working in the community development field, including graduate and undergraduate students, volunteers, and mid-career professionals seeking a more fulfilling line of work.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 328 pages
• Publisher: Island Press; 1 edition (January 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559637498
• ISBN-13: 978-1559637497
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 7.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,154,855 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Guide to Great Careers, November 10, 2001

By 

Tim Siegel (Wash., DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Guide to Careers in Community Development (Paperback)

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, community development coming of age, November 7, 2002

By 

"jconnors73" (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Guide to Careers in Community Development (Paperback)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very helpful source of guidance, May 8, 2005

By 

nope - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Guide to Careers in Community Development (Paperback)

After graduating from college I tried a lot of different things, seeking my niche. I knew I wanted to do work that would influence my community and make it a better place, but I didn't know on what scale I wanted to operate or how my day-to-day might look. This remarkable book helped me broaden and clarify my thinking about what directions I might go in. I highly recommend it to any other do-gooder who feels herself in a bit of a career crisis.