Urban Policy Lab Career and Skills Development Day

The Urban Policy Lab is hosting multiple interactive panels and small-group workshops to help Munk School students gain specialized skills and knowledge relevant for a career in urban policy in multiple sectors and levels of government.

Who Can Register:

This event is open to all MPP and MGA students at the Munk School. Please use your University of Toronto email to register.

How to Register:

• Review the Agenda to learn about each session.
• Click Get Tickets and select your sessions. Please note that there are multiple sessions ongoing during the same time slot. Choose only one session per timeslot.
• The Careers in Urban Policy session is restricted to first-year students. Only register for this session if you are in year one.
• The Municipal Finance session is restricted to second-year students. Only register for this session if you are in year two.
• During the 2:15–3:45pm time slot, there are two parallel options (A or B). Choose only one.

If your preferred session is "sold out", and you'd like to be put on a waitlist, please fill out the following form. If you have any questions, please email UPL graduate fellow Ananya Yadav ([email protected]).

Info: This session will expose year 1 students to the many career paths available in urban policy. Students will rotate between multiple tables, each representing different sectors (municipal, OPS, not-for-profit, and private sector). Each table will have an alumni leader who will facilitate discussion and help illuminate: 1) the types of policy policy issues students might encounter in this sector 2) projects/programs/solutions they might work on 3) how to find/land a job 4) the skills required to succeed. More facilitators are being confirmed — stay tuned for updates!

Info: This session will delve into an introduction to municipal finance including key fiscal challenges faced by municipalities; how to leverage available revenue tools; and the importance of applying a multi-year approach to budgeting. The session will include some practical insights on how financial analysis differs from policy analysis; and how the budget process at municipal level differs from provincial/federal governments (especially now in a ‘Strong Mayor’ environment). The session will also explore how ‘global’ events (like tariffs…. or even a Taylor Swift concert) have an impact on local finances.

Info: An interactive overview of decision-making at City Hall. Students will explore how political decisions are shaped by more than staff advice, through case studies and open discussion. The goal is to demystify the interplay of politics and process in municipal government.

Info: How does a city shape the way we move, connect, and care for one another? In this talk, Toronto’s first Bicycle Mayor, Lanrick Bennett Jr., traces his journey, visiting Toronto libraries with his son Jackson to morning bike rides with his daughter Zoë.  Drawing from both lived experience and professional roles across the arts, housing, mobility, and placemaking, Lanrick challenges students to see how policy isn’t only written at City Hall but lived and felt on city streets every day.

Info: Advancing community-based programs in government requires strong internal alignment – especially when senior leaders are balancing diverse and sometimes competing priorities. This workshop will explore the complexities of working in the public sector and equip students with practical tools for facilitating effective internal consultation. Participants will learn strategies for embedding engagement into government processes and for bringing senior leadership onside to support more meaningful, community-centered outcomes.

Host or Publisher Urban Policy Lab