Get to know Urban and Regional Planning alumnus, Jacob Circo!

We're connecting with Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) alumni to see what they're up to today. This series of blogs will help you understand what life after graduating university can look like and might even give you inspiration for your future! Read their stories to see what could be waiting for you.Jacob Circo graduated from the Urban and Regional Planning program at TMU in 2021. His love for building virtual cities as a child led him to wanting to get involved with the government. “In high school I took an urban geography course, which got me more invested in what urban planners do. From that one geography class, I started looking into accredited planning schools. I picked TMU for Urban and Regional Planning,” Jacob said.

Hadiqah: What skills or experiences gained at TMU have helped you most in your career thus far?

Jacob: I started trying to get involved as a local student politician right away at TMU. In my first year I ran for director with the TMSU (external link, opens in new window)  and was very close to winning that position — that was my first taste of running for election. In addition to my goals for being involved in different academic governing systems, I obtained how laws work. For example, I learned about what provinces look for, legal matters and how structures work locally and provincially. Even in my law courses, I learned about planning law, policy-writing and student leadership skills. 

Getting involved in the Senate was a really big opportunity as a student representative, and I was heavily involved in different committees. One of the main academic studies was reviewing the curriculum from the faculty and making a recommendation to improve it. I actually had a say in this [position] and later in my second year, I was asked if I was interested in joining the committee for the Faculty of Community Services Society (FCSS) (external link, opens in new window) . This committee was trying to bring forward a referendum to establish a student society. My leadership skills came from being in the Senate and using my voice to be involved in the university. I’ve stayed involved after [graduating] as an alumni — I see it as a part of my legacy at TMU. 

H: If you could go back in time to your first-year self what would you want them to know?

J: I would say to never give up. I lost the election in my first year and obviously felt a little sad about losing. That was during fall semester, but then I picked myself back up during winter semester. It's good to keep continuing and don't lose your confidence. There will always be an opportunity next time. I feel like I fulfilled that now. 

H: Tell me about your involvement in policies and strategic planning with Durham region. What does your day-to-day look like?

J: I work with the municipality of Clarington, a municipality within the Durham region. In my role, we see a lot of development applications come in, whether that be residential, industrial or commercial. I also work on zoning bylaw updates and official plan policy updates. So, regarding policy, I had the opportunity to be in the role that applies those policies. Now that I've done it for two years, these are the key systems for how we can improve and implement provincial initiatives.

With regards to development applications, the thing about working in a new division is that you get to see the buildings being built. That's the most fulfilling part of my job. I review the plans, approve the building permits and then see it built. What I love about my job is seeing what you worked on being built — [the projects become] physical now.

Every day I come in and usually have a game strategy for what I want to focus on for that day — whether it be [dealing with] files, customer service or phones and emails. I have days where I have to be on the counter desk downstairs doing customer service, or I have to work on files whether it be site plans, zoning or providing my own comments [for a project]. 

H: What is the accomplishment you're most passionate about in your career?

J: I picked Clarington for one reason: I had studied Emergency Management, Threat and Response Planning (opens in new window) , a certificate program at TMU for my undergrad. I chose Clarington because it has nuclear power plants and other hazards that are unique to a city. I picked this city because I wanted to get involved not just in urban planning, but also in disaster management. As a result, I am the lead development planner for the nuclear power plant. I’ve had the opportunity to be involved not only in applying planning principles, but also in having my name associated with a facility.

Lastly, on my TMU side, I’m still involved as the co-president for the School of Urban and Regional Planning Alumni Association. My biggest achievement is having a student award in my name for the student society: The Jacob Circo Student Leadership Award. I’m also a mentoring guide for future student leaders.

I loved hearing about how Jacob pursued his passions from a young age and how he has reached his goals. For more information about applying and getting your post-secondary journey started, check out the how to apply page!

Bye for now,

Hadiqah