u/Altruistic_Row_7362

Hey y'all, I am relatively new to UNV information, and I am trying to navigate a DRR/DAC long-term career path. I understand those are two different things, but to get to the gravy and biscuits...

If you have the time to respond, I would love to know if my profile makes me competitive for UNV positions/ what to target.

BA Urban Studies - Urban Environments and Climate Change

Urban Wildlife Research (ABM)

Minor GIS

Emergency Management and Resilience Planning Grad Certification

EMT-B / NREMT

NGO Leadership and Development History

Next Summer/Year before I apply for UNV positions

Interagency type B fire crew / Red-card

SBP Americorps Disaster Corps Team Lead

Hey y'all !

I’m a current undergrad finishing a BA in Urban Studies with a GIS minor in Chicago (graduating May 2027). I’m planning to apply to a master’s program down the road (likely 2028–2029) in either urban/environmental planning or landscape architecture first professional (or maybe a dual degree). Im passionate about work regarding natural resources, public lands, and conservation, but I’m keeping both degree paths open for now.

Since fully funded master’s programs are rare, my goal is to relocate to a state with strong public programs and establish residency before I apply. Thats the main plan, but im not totally attached to moving with the intention of securing a spot at a grad school, I wanna really focus on my postgrad life, and then focus on grad school when I get there, but it adds of course. I could do like a 1 year somewhere for shits and one year to prepare for residency... idk just some thoughts

OK, now to the meat and pickles of this! my idea for this post was to just sorta describe what im looking for and hopefully something works, or at least maybe I get insights on why a certain place blows!

I want a lively city that feels big in possibilities, even if its not a major city like Chicago.

I want the young feeling but not like undergrad young.

the place im moving to needs to have a job market for the type shit im doing.

im into nature, live music, alternative scenes, art, bouldering, stuff like this.

I hate performative liberals/leftists, bigots, suffocating monoculture or stuck up personalities.

im pretty bad at making friends so I really want a city where everyone is looking for that, also the people need not be stuck in the office 24/7 on the grind, gotta live

I would prefer not needing a car, but I would make an exception if I didn't feel like I was living in a small suburban city.

thats all I guess...

rn my big options are these:

- Austin / UT Austin

- Seattle / UW Seattle

- Los Angeles / UCLA and possibly USC if aid works out, but less likely

P.S. I HATE THE WINTER COLD I HATE IT