Decide Which Event Planning Education You Need to Succeed
Easily the most common question I am asked is, "What kind of event planning courses do I need to become an event planner?" And a few years ago, my answer was different than it is today.
Up until recently, event planning wasn't really considered to be an actual career path. Special events were planned by volunteers and committees with only a few paid positions, and corporate events, meetings, and incentives were passed off to the marketing department or an administrative assistant.
As a result, there also weren't any options for formal training or event planning courses available. Most of us "old timers" had to learn by the "school of hard knocks"; sink or swim, trial-and-error, learn as you go. It was painful and it wasn't pretty; but thankfully, times have changed.
As more companies learn the value of professionally organized events, there is an increasing need for formal training in event planning. And, as the industry continues to grow more competitive, training and education will give you an edge over others who have no training at all.
Not to mention, it's just common sense that you need to understand the basics of the job before you get a job!
In the past, education wasn't required to begin a career in event planning. However, times have changed; as event planning is taken more seriously, and as the industry becomes more and more competitive, education, training, and event planning courses are the only way to start your career in event planning!
Types of Event Planning Courses
As I mentioned, the event planning industry is still evolving; and therefore, there aren't any steadfast rules when it comes to event planning education and training. It's not like becoming a doctor, or a teacher; where there are established, set guidelines for what education you need.
Therefore, determining which types of event planning courses to pursue is going to depend on where you are in life, and what you want out of your career.
The following are the different paths you can take to begin your event planning training. Click on the links to see which one is right for you.
"Which online courses should I take?" If you have already graduated from a college or university and/or university is not an option for you, then taking online Event Planning Courses is most likely the best path for you. This is usually quicker and more affordable than going back to school; and the right online event planning courses can give you the foundation you need to start your event planning career.
"Which university should I go to?" If you are young and have not yet chosen a university (or are going back to school and have the freedom to choose which school), there is a small number of event planning schools or universities that offer classes and/or degree programs in event planning. And some of these universities offer online event planning courses as well.
"I'm in college; what classes should I take?" If you are already in college or university, or don't have the option of going to one of the schools listed above, then don't despair! So few schools offer degrees in event planning that it's not yet a standard requirement in the industry. However, there are certain classes and degrees that can further your career path; so be sure to check out this page for the path that I recommend you take.
"What about certification?" There is a huge, huge misconception among people who want to pursue a career in event planning; and that is that they can simply take an online event planner certification course and then suddenly be qualified to become an event planner. And, unfortunately, there are plenty of companies out there willing to take advantage of this misconception by taking your money; then handing you a "certification" that is basically meaningless in the industry. Read this page to learn more about this scam and the reality of certification.
"What if I don't know whether I should go back to school or not?" If you are unsure which path to take; whether to take a few online event planning courses or to go back for a full-fledged event planning degree, then this page might be able to help guide you in the right direction.
And the single most important piece of advice I can give you (whether you're in school or not) is.....
GET EXPERIENCE!!!
The single most important thing to potential employers is your experience. Event planning courses, college education, or training will give you the foundation you need to understand how to do the job; but hands-on experience will show that you can!
Potential employers do want to know what training or education you've had; but more importantly, they want to know what kind of events you've been a part of, and what your role was in planning or executing them.
Experience is so important that a potential employer is more likely to hire someone with a degree in physics who has helped plan a few events than someone with an event planning degree who has not planned any! (Although this is NOT an excuse to not go to school - getting your degree is absolutely essential these days!).
So, do absolutely whatever it takes to get some experience. Join a sorority or fraternity and get in on the event planning committee. Get involved with the campus and plan FACs or home coming parades.
For those not in school, every community in the country is involved with events in some way. Race for the Cure, the Breast Cancer Three Day, local triathlons, golf tournaments, horse shows, parades....the list goes on and on. Nearly every event in existence needs volunteers; and volunteering is the single best way to get your foot in the door and get some experience. It also offers two other side benefits:
Not only will volunteering give you the essential experience you need to secure a job, but it will also give you a chance to see if you really enjoy the work. The perception of event planning is very different than the reality; so use this time to figure out if you truly enjoy it before dedicating your life toward it. And, if you truly enjoy it, then volunteering won't be much of a "sacrifice" at all!
When you volunteer, you make great contacts for future employment. This is truly an industry where "who you know" can make or break you; so make your contacts and get your name out there now.
As a side note: I don't want this to sound harsh, but please do not count the fact that you helped plan three friends' weddings as experience.
In some ways, it is experience; but when you have to count this as "experience," it actually magnifies the fact you have none. If a potential employer receives your resume and your only experience listed is, "Helped plan my best friend's wedding" and "Organized my parents' 50th wedding anniversary," then your resume is going in the trash.
Volunteering for a bona fide event shows you truly want to work in this industry, and that you have had enough hands-on experience to know what you're doing.
Volunteer and get some true hands-on, real life event planning experience, and leave the weddings and Christmas parties off your resume!
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One of the first steps necessary to becoming an event planner is to learn everything you can about events. I have three products to help you learn different aspects of the industry:
Learn about my online "Event Planner Course"
By high demand, I have created an online, step-by-step course on how to plan events. You can take this online course at your own pace; and it will show you the essential elements of planning special events and corporate meetings, incentives, and events.
Event Planning Checklist
My own personal Event Planning Checklist and Conference Planning Checklist in one; this eBook lists just about every general "to do" that you might need for your event. (Note: this is included as a free bonus with the
Event Planner Course
and my eBook,
Travel and Get Paid for It.
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Easily the most common question I am asked is, "What kind of event planning courses do I need to become an event planner?" And a few years ago, my answer was different than it is today.