How to Become an Event Planner - Careers in Event Planning

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event planner

How to Become an Event Planner

Careers in Event Planning

If you want to learn how to become an event planner, here are some tips, based on the FabJob Guide to Become an Event Planner:

If you are like most people, you have gone to at least a few events this year. If you enjoy going to events, imagine having an exciting and creative career that lets you get paid to organize them.

An event planner is a professional who organizes events. When you think of an "event" you may think of something big, such as

Academy Awards
Mardi Gras
Super Bowl
Presidential Inauguration
New Year’s festivities in Times Square
Any other major events we hear about or see on television

Event planners are needed for all these events. However, event planners also work on thousands of smaller events. Any time people gather together for a purpose, someone is needed to oversee all the details to ensure the event happens and that it is a success. That someone could be you.

If you become an event planner you can specialize in planning particular types of events, or be hired to plan a variety of events. For example, you could plan social events such as birthday parties, family reunions and weddings, business events such as meetings, grand openings and trade shows, or special events such as fund-raisers, festivals and fashion shows.

As an event planner (also known as an events coordinator, events organizer, meeting planner, party planner, or special events planner) you will have a job that can be incredibly fun, interesting, and financially rewarding.

If you start your own event planning business you can also enjoy the freedom of being your own boss. Self-employed event planners can earn $25 to $150 or more per hour depending on their specialty and clients.

If you prefer the security of a full-time employment, there are many types of organizations that employ event planners or give employees the opportunity to do event planning as part of another job. For example, you could plan events while working in public relations, marketing, human resources, or another department of a large corporation.

The hospitality industry also offers many opportunities for those who want to work in the events industry. While some jobs involve planning events from start to finish, many other jobs involve helping people who are planning their own events. Employers in this industry include hotels and resorts, casinos, convention centers, tourist attractions, and even cruise lines.

There are a variety of ways to learn event planning through programs offered by educational institutions and professional organizations. While formal education can help you land a job as an event planner, no formal education is required to start your own event planning business.

Instead, you can develop your event planning skills by volunteering to help organize events. Although you won't be paid, you will build credentials that can help you get hired in future. You will gain practical event planning experience, develop your knowledge of event planning, and possibly make valuable contacts that could lead to future paid work.

One way many event planners start getting hands-on experience is by offering their services free of charge to friends and family members. For example, you could help to plan your loved ones’ birthday parties, baby showers, weddings, holiday celebrations, and other events.

You can also help out with business events. If you are currently employed, you might help out with planning events at your own workplace. If you aren't currently employed -- or if you are employed, but have extra time -- you could offer to volunteer with special events at a spouse’s or family member’s place of business.

Most companies have at least one or two events every year for employees, customers or investors, and some hold many more events. If your company has a social committee, volunteer for it. If they don’t have a social committee, start one. If your company has a department that organizes events but is short-staffed, offer to help them out.

Finally, volunteer to help out with organizing fund-raisers and other events for local non-profit groups. By volunteering your services, you can help a good cause while you develop valuable skills for a career in event planning.

This article is an excerpt from the FabJob Guide to Become an Event Planner. The complete guide gives detailed advice on how you can become an event planner, get started om a career in event planning, find event planner jobs, or start your own event planning business. Visit www.FabJob.com/eventplanner.asp for information about how to become an event planner.

by Tag Goulet

Tag Goulet is co-author of the FabJob Guide to Become an Event Planner.

If you want to learn how to become an event planner, this article has some information about event planning careers from the FabJob Guide to Become an Event Planner.