I am often meeting with people who want advice on how to break into the event industry. I’m always happy to grab a tea and offer my tips and there are a few that are always the same, regardless of what kind of event planning one wants to get into.
1. Volunteer - If you do not have any event planning experience on your resume, then get some and volunteering is a legit way to do so. Help your favorite organization, non-profit or church plan their events. Then put that experience on your resume. Particularly if you are volunteering for a well known and respected organization, employers will certainly count that as experience.
2. Network – Combine #1 and #2 and find a networking organization and volunteer to help plan their events. If you are progressive and in the DC area, the Women’s Information Network (WIN) is a great example of how to do this. WIN hosts many networking events a year for their members, including two large events that require volunteer planning committees. Join the organization, get on a committee, run the committee, get on the board. Move your way up the volunteer ladder.
3. Associations – Joining an association can be another way to volunteer and network, however associations are geared towards your specific career path. ISES is a great example of an association for those in the event industry. Associations often also offer access to group insurance, job boards and other tools from which everyone benefits.
4. Education – Whether you get a certificate or certified as a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP), the more you can educate yourself on the industry the better. George Washington University has a great certificate program for planners which also happens to be great preparation for the CMP test. Courses like the one at GW require students to have a certain amount of practical experience which is invaluable in obtaining experience and getting your foot in the door with those already working in the industry.
5. Play to your strengths – If you are in a job where you are doing some event planning, but it isn’t the sole purpose of your job, speak to your employer, tell them where you think you excell and what you want to do and you would be surprised how many will help you to move in that direction. Happier employees who are doing what they like and are best at are better employees!
Good luck and have fun!
