I wish I knew about AICP-CM before planning school...

This is sort of a tongue-in-cheek look at things, but if I knew that I'd be bait for APA's mess of a CM system, I would have gone into engineering and became a civil engineer. I'd probably be making a lot more than I am now, and I'm not sure if their CM system is as arduous as the AICP system. Furthermore, I'd probably get a nice bonus or a raise for passing the PE exam, instead of the $1,000 bonus I got when I passed the AICP exam.

I guess there is still time, since I have a Master in Civil Engineering (and a Bachelor of Urban Planning). That, and I haven't paid my APA/AICP dues.

On a more serious note, though, I've been thinking about how much APA and AICP has done for me. They gave me 4 letters to put that after my name. They produced lots of stress for me over this darn CM thing. They send me a magazine every month, which usually has few things worth reading. They send me emails that are largely irrelevant to what I do, and they are normally a rehash of old news. All of that for $300 per year. And to keep those 4 letters, I have to pay it.

In contrast, this site (Planetizen) sends me the latest news and hosts lively discussions and charges me nothing.

Andrew R., AICP.