If you love to organise, collaborate and problem-solve, a career in the events industry might be for you. The events industry is booming at the moment because for so long we weren’t able to attend in-person events. Thankfully things are now getting back to normal!
There are so many different roles in the events industry. From event planning and marketing to event management and recruitment, there are so many options available to explore. However, it can be challenging to know which one is the best fit for you.
No matter what your interests or skills are, there’s a job in the events industry out there waiting for you, as long as you have a passion for it and you’re willing to work hard.
Read on to find out more about this dynamic industry and some great ideas of where to get started when looking into a career in events.
What is the Events Industry?
The events industry is quite broad, containing loads of different roles. Simply put, it is mainly centred on organising and executing different types of events. This includes everything from conferences and weddings to product launches and music festivals.
Nowadays, events are often a crucial part of the marketing strategy for many businesses, including major brands and smaller ones alike. This is where the most demand for events comes in, and why jobs are highly sought-after and extremely varied.
Beyond this, there is a wide variety of types of events that can be found under the “events industry” umbrella – each one may need a particular set of skills and there are different ways to break into each one.
What Skills Do You Need in the Events Industry?
In a previous blog, we looked at the most important skills you need to be successful in the events industry. While there are many more skills than those we outlined, it’s worth looking at the basics first and then expanding out from there as you grow into your chosen career.
In a nutshell, people working in the events industry need to be highly organised and able to manage multiple tasks at once. There are many moving pieces to each event and you’ll need to be able to stay on top of everything, from guest lists to travel arrangements and staff to performers.
You’ll also need to be a creative problem-solver who is open to new ideas. Collaboration is key in the events industry, and you’ll need to be able to work with a wide variety of people, from vendors to senior-level executives.
You’ll also need to have excellent communication skills. You’ll be working closely with many people across many departments, so you’ll need to be able to clearly and concisely relay information.
Other skills you need are:
- Organisation
- Networking
- Problem-solving
- Marketing
- Budgeting
- Leadership
- Flexibility
- People skills
- Decision-making skills
- Communication
Now you know the most necessary skills for breaking into the events industry, let’s take a look at how you can find jobs.
How to Find Events Jobs
There are a few different ways to go about landing your first events job, but the best way to get a career in the industry is to become part of an events team. It’s the fastest and surest way to get your foot in the door and develop the skills you need.
There are many different types of events teams you could join. Perhaps you want to get into events not directly, but through an industry you have a real passion for. Let’s say you’re really into fashion, well every fashion businesses needs to host events to showcase their designs. If you become part of a marketing team in a fashion business, you’ll likely have some involvement in the events side of things too.
Another way to get involved in the industry is through a company that specifically manages events for businesses. Maybe those businesses don’t have the internal expertise to put on a successful event, so they’ll search for an events business that does. If you approach these events for internships or entry-level roles, you will be on the ladder towards your dream career in no time.
Alternatively, you could join an events team through your school, college or university. Almost every place of education has events, especially those that focus on the creative arts. At Big Creative Education, for example, we have courses in music, fashion, dance and gaming. Each of these courses has some element of event planning and management. Ask your tutors or career guides to see if there are any opportunities.
Don’t forget to regularly check general job boards like Indeed and Reed as well as industry-specific job boards like Event Job Search – if you keep your eye on these, you might find an opportunity faster than you know it.
Whatever route you choose, gaining experience and studying an events management course will put you in a great position to land an events job when you’re ready to make the jump.
For more information and guidance, you can contact our Student Services Hub.
