What do event planners major in

Here are the most common steps to follow in becoming a successful event planner:. Relevant majors include marketing and hospitality management.

Prospective event planners may enter the events industry by starting out in an entry-level position in a related field. Event planners may specialize in a certain type of event, especially if they want to start their own business. You can choose a specialty, such as birthdays, weddings, conferences, business meetings, mall events, fundraisers and corporate retreats.

Event planning certifications may help event planners impress potential employers. The content in certification examinations can vary depending on the event planning area.

Each certification holds different requirements, but most will require event planners to have completed a training program, obtained a certain number of years of experience and passed certification exams. Joining a professional organization helps new event planners form important connections and increase their job opportunities.

It may also lead to other useful resources, including continuing education options. As event planners gain job experience, they can advance in their career to become meeting managers, program coordinators or directors of meetings.

They may also decide to move from a smaller organization to a larger company with better career opportunities, or they may even start their own event planning business. We are currently looking for a talented and motivated Event Planner to manage our small events. The event planner will be responsible for every part of event preparations, such as approving menus, choosing venues, creating seating plans and evaluating success after the event. The ideal candidate is well-organized and possesses a working knowledge of vendor management.

Attention to detail and excellent communication skills are essential in this role, as the success of our company depends on meeting the tailored requirements of our clients. Find jobs. Undergraduate degree programs that are dedicated to the field of event planning often have names like event and entertainment management.

The coursework in these specialized programs of study often starts off with a curriculum based in hospitality management, including classes in the business of leisure, leisure and tourism in a diverse society, personal branding and tourism and hospitality marketing.

More focused classes might include designing tourism experiences, hospitality operations, the business of social events and weddings, entertainment management, food and beverage management, the foundations of event management, event and entertainment operations and revenues, sales in tourism and hospitality, tourism planning and development and crafting the event experience.

The hospitality management major consists of coursework across a variety of disciplines, including hospitality, food service, tourism and business. For instance, students attending an undergraduate program in hospitality management may take classes in lodging operations, communication, financial accounting, food and beverage management and hospitality facilities management.

Additional subjects may include writing, hospitality marketing, human resource management, cost management and analysis, and macroeconomics.

Internships through which students gain real-world experience in event coordinating capacities can not only help students develop their practical skills but also assist them in cultivating a network of professional contacts in the event industry.

Communication skills are essential when working as an event planner. You will communicate with just about everyone: the clients who hire you to coordinate their events, facilities managers and personnel, vendors, chefs and bakers, catering companies, live entertainment acts, DJs, technology experts, security personnel and photographers and videographers. The coursework you might encounter as a communications major includes mass media, theory and models of communication, linguistics, the roles of language and media in society, interpersonal communication, media ethics, journalism, strategic communications for social media and public relations principles.

You have to make decisions and arrangements for every detail to ensure that nothing falls through the cracks. For both types of endeavors, you need to manage costs and budgets, scheduling and equipment and materials.

You need to be organized enough to anticipate all of the different challenges that could arise and how to deal with them, but you also need the kind of personality that will allow you to thrive under pressure instead of collapsing under the stress.

These similarities — as well as the fact that many events like conferences, conventions, seminars, trade shows, product launch parties and other types of meetings are business-related — help explain why business administration and marketing are popular majors for aspiring event planners.

Undergraduate programs of study in business are commonly offered as Bachelor of Business Administration BBA degree programs. Job Outlook. Work Environment. Work Schedule. Comparing Similar Jobs. By Dawn Rosenberg McKay. She is a former writer for The Balance Careers. Learn about our editorial policies.

Updated on May 04, How to Get the Job Write Standout Resume and Cover Letters Review examples of resumes and cover letters for event planners to make sure you have a leg up on the competition. Apply Start by looking at job sites specific to the event planning industry, such as the International Live Events Association career hub and Meeting Professionals International's career center.

Plan Ahead for Interviews Be prepared for all of your interviews by reviewing common interview questions for event planners. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for TheBalanceCareers. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data.

We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. During the planning phase, they help their clients make decisions that fit their expectations and budgets. Once the wedding day arrives, they help take the pressure of the couple. They run interference on issues and decisions so newlyweds can just enjoy their special day. The events world is fast-paced, exciting, and always full of surprises. Click To Tweet.

Event space or venue managers are experts on their own spaces. They know exactly how to execute a great event in their room. Venue managers often are also the sales and marketing managers for the space, helping to bring in new events and promote upcoming shows.

They can sometimes function as event planners or help the event planner in charge execute the perfect event.

Many non-profits organizations rely on generous donors to keep their operations going. Donor coordinators help solicit these funds by throwing lunches, dinners, and other fundraising events. This is a fun way to encourage donations and thank past donors. These professionals are often in charge of catering to the needs of important and well-off business people and community leaders.

These guests are used to perfection.