|
Trade Schools Directory >
Education & Career Articles Index >
Event Planning Courses: How to Become an Event Planner
Event Planning Courses:
How to Become an Event Planner
Event planning courses, when part of a great program at an event planner school, can help you decide what area of the field you want to pursue your career in. Read on to find out three questions you should ask yourself when designing your future as an event planner.
1. What Area Appeals to Me?
Perhaps you see yourself handling all the details of a couple's wedding day, or planning an international trade show. Although there is certainly a lot of overlap among the skills you need to enter both areas of event planning, there are some subtle differences. For example, if you're interested in wedding planning, you might add an interior decorating course to your training. Having a sense of how to "dress" a room will prove extremely valuable when it comes time to select the colors and fabrics for decorating the church and banquet hall.
Or, if the idea of becoming a specialist in planning corporate events piques your interest, you might want to think about taking some additional business courses. Your event planning program will most likely include training in marketing, bookkeeping, and business communications. However, a little more in-depth knowledge into the world of business might be exactly what you need when dealing with global companies.
Other areas of event planning include:
- Entertainment (planning concerts, album launches)
- Corporate training (corporate retreats, seminars)
- Conventions and meetings (international meetings, virtual conferences)
2. What Level of Education Do I Want to Pursue?
Whether you choose to earn a certificate, diploma, associate's degree, or bachelor's degree depends on several factors:
- Previous education/experience
- Time commitment
- Future goals
For example, if you want to build on previous education or experience, and enter the field quickly, look for event planning courses that can allow you to gain a certificate or diploma in less than a year. If you're interested in career-oriented training that also provides a foundation of general education, consider pursuing a two-year associate's degree.
Finally, if your goal is to receive a thorough education that could allow you to move into management positions in the future, you may want to think about earning a bachelor's degree. Some useful majors you may want to consider are:
- Communications
- Public Relations
- Marketing
- Business
- Hospitality Management
3. Do I Need Event Planning Certification?
Depending on the area of event planning you choose, you may need to gain industry-recognized certification to increase your career opportunities. For example, the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) program is one of the most well-known certifications for meeting and convention planners. Although this certification is voluntary, it could help you stand out in a competitive niche that is expecting a job growth rate of 16 percent from 2008 through to 2018.*
Prior to picking your program, it is vital that you do some research and find out whether your chosen program will prepare you to earn industry certifications.
Now that you have a better understanding of what to keep in mind when preparing for your future career as an event planner, take the next step and browse this guide to
event planning programs today!
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, web site accessed on Nov. 29, 2010
© 2001 - 2012 Beelineweb.com
Trade Schools Site Map |
Programs |
Blog
|
