Planning Students Gain Real-World Experience Through Mock Interview Program

Led by Merrill Flood, Planner-in-Residence, the Community and Regional Planning Program at ECU hosted a Mock Interview Program on November 5, 2025. Eleven professional planners and one ECU Career Services officer participated as interviewers for mock job and internship sessions with Planning major students.

Participants share advice on the job search process with students after completing the mock interview.

Prof. Flood opened the event with an overview of interview etiquette and planning job interview expectations. Each student participated in a personalized 30-minute interview with two professional interviewers in a private setting, followed by a 20-minute résumé review with reviewers consisting of a planner and a Career Services officer or planning faculty member.

At the conclusion of the event, professionals offered students valuable advice on the job search process—covering topics such as social media presence, interview do’s and don’ts, and salary negotiation strategies.

We extend our sincere appreciation to all participating planners for dedicating their time to interview students, provide individualized feedback, and share insightful career guidance.

• Interviewers: Chantae Gooby (Chief Planner, City of Greenville), Sam Singleton (Transportation Planner II, Mid-East Commission RPO), Eric Gooby (Assistant Planning Director, Pitt County Planning Department), Will Lowery (Planner II, Pitt County Planning Department), Isabella Sardina (Program Specialist, City of Greenville), Lee Padrick (Special Projects Coordinator, Mid-East Commission RPO; Planner-in-Residence), James Rhodes (Former Pitt County Assistant Manager), Catherine Grimm (Planning Director, Town of Tarboro), Rachel Person (ECU Career Services), Patricia Harris (Director, Planning, Economic Development & Community Services, Mid-East Commission RPO), Ben Williams (Director, Rivers and Associates), Merrill Flood (ECU, Director Planning & Development, AAH REDE Community Engaged Research; Planner-in-Residence), and Misun Hur (ECU, Director/Associate Professor, Community and Regional Planning)
• Students: Cooper Hilbert, Catherine Gailey, Mia Palma, Lauryn Strothers, Yadiel Cruz, Vanessa Boateng, Paul Lewis, and Jalissa Ocasio