4 ways to jump-start a career in event planning
Do you like to organize social events and celebrations with friends? Event planners love creating a positive experience for a group of people. If this is something you enjoy, event planning might be a career path for you.
At CU Boulder, there are many ways to gain the experience and skills needed for a future in event planning. Here’s how to get started.
Become the event planner for a student organization
Almost every club or student organization on campus has an event planner position. This person might book meeting spaces, order food, organize speakers and more. Browse BuffConnect or visit the Center for Student Involvement (CSI) to find an organization that fits your interests, and volunteer to be the event planner.
By joining a student organization, you can start developing the following skills:
- Organization: Event planners need to keep track of deadlines, budgets and vendors all at once. Spreadsheets, checklists and a daily planner are three things you’ll need to be successful.
- Communication: Event planners coordinate with clients, listen to their needs and find solutions. They also work with contractors, employees, wait staff and many other vendors at the same time. Customer service and interpersonal skills are important.
- Creativity and attention to detail: Clients will look to you to execute their vision for the event. Event planners keep up on the latest trends by browsing Pinterest, following blogs and brainstorming with their team.
Connect with professional event planners
Event planning is involved in many industries, including nonprofit, health care, business sector and education. Knowing what kinds of events you like to plan may steer you in the direction of a particular industry. Whether you’re interested in nonprofit, corporate or social event planning, make connections with event planners. Ask to shadow them for a day to see what their job is like.
Find these connections at Career Services.
Get experience
Assisting professional event planners can help you gain valuable experience. Local events, such as races or festivals, are always in need of event volunteers. Find opportunities to gain experience through:
- Student employment: Log in and search using keywords such as “event.”
- Handshake: Log in and search by industry, job function or keyword.
- Volunteer Resource Center: Search the calendar or organization database.
Explore majors
There are many majors and programs that can help you prepare for a future in event planning. These include: