Become an event planner that organizes corporate events, birthday parties or weddings by volunteering with other event planners and taking classes in marketing, accounting and sales. Network an event planning business by making a Web site and contacting local vendors with the help of this free video on job information from a career service specialist.
So you are an organized person who has a lot of contacts in the travel world as well as in businesses of all sizes. You have at least a two-year degree in business. You have decided, based on all this, to be an even planner. Whoa, Nellie! Don’t hang out your “open for business” sign just yet–take a look at this list of questions to see if it’s a good career choice for you.
Are you social and sociable as well?
If you love spending time with people–often in large groups–and enjoy talking with them, give yourself a point in favor of becoming an event planner. However, enjoying talking with people and being a good conversationalist are two different things–you have to be able to think on your feet, talk on your feet, solve problems on your feet, and sometimes sleep on your feet when you’re an event planner, all while staying personable.
Can you change one person’s concepts into an experience?
If you can listen to a client’s idea of what she wants in a meeting or conference and be able to form a whole event in your head, you may be right for the job. However, no matter how organized you are, if you can’t conceptualize an event without constant detailing from your client, all you’re going to do is make her mad. Turning words into pictures is key.
Are you organized?
If the answer is no, don’t even try to plan an event until you have good structure and habits in place. An offshoot of being organized is immediacy–if you are a procrastinator, work on that first.
Do you have good budgeting skills?
A business degree does not make a good planner. Make sure you can set up and execute a budget efficiently.
Can you read a contract?
Much of your job is going to involve contracts. Even if you can read a contract well, you may get one that leaves your head spinning around. In addition to having the basics down yourself, always make sure you have access to a good contract attorney–he will be worth his fees if it keeps you from making mistakes.
While these skills are not the be-all and end-all of even planning, they are deal breakers if you have continued and/or insurmountable difficulty with them. Make sure you can handle all the pressures of any career you choose and the result will be success.
Becoming an event planner can be a fun and rewarding process. Many people with degrees in business, marketing, hospitality, communications, public relations, and more end up in the lucrative and fun field of event planning. If you are interested in this field, here is a short guide to help you seek educational certification.
College Degrees
While experience is considered the best teacher, a college degree is critical certification these days. A two year degree in business with a few years of experience in the field of event planning–even in the capacity as an assistant–can help you land a good job in the industry.
A bachelor’s degree is even better, and chances are good you could earn an internship or externship, for either a salary or college credit, to get your first experience in event planning. There are even advanced degrees available in meeting management, and advanced degrees in marketing would be a huge benefit to job seekers in meeting planning. Read more…
So you are thinking of becoming an event planner? Congratulations! You are about to choose an important and rewarding career. However, before you do, make sure you understand your job responsibilities. Here is a sample job description for a corporate event planner.
Event Planner Job Responsibilities
You will be responsible for planning all aspects of the company’s meetings and events. This includes holiday events, customer appreciation and incentive plans, sales meetings, and conventions. Smaller meetings may include motivational meetings for sales staff and team building for various departments.
Travel
Some travel may be required for large events out of town. There is also the possibility of international travel, so candidates should have an up-to-date passport and travel clearances. Read more…
