If you are looking to become an event coordinator, you are considering a career that can be both rewarding and demanding. Understanding the demands may be a good place to begin. You may also want to consider tutelage under someone who has experience in the industry or formal education.
Deciding to become an event coordinator can be a decision that makes you become a very busy person. You are likely to find that your days are filled with a wide range of tasks that vary greatly. This means you will need a wide range of skills. Communication skills and organizational skills are essential components on that list.
Event coordinators generally need to take a lot of instructions from some parties and give a lot of related instructions to other parties. A person without strong communication skills is not likely to be effective in this role. The same proves true of a person who is disorganized. In many instances, an event coordinator will have multiple events being prepared and occurring at once. Confusion and disorganization can lead to chaos and significant financial losses.
Degrees and certificates focused specifically on event coordinating may be difficult to find. There are a number of other degrees and certificates, however, which may help those who want to become an event coordinator. These include hospitality management, hotel and restaurant management, and marketing.
If you have a degree that is relevant to the industry or if you are planning to obtain one, you may want to consider accenting it with a relevant work history. It is possible to become an event coordinator without a degree. It can be very difficult, however, to become an event coordinator without any experience.
A person can gain a great deal of valuable experience by working with a seasoned event coordinator. If you choose to gain experience in this manner, you may benefit by receiving exposure to unique areas of the business. It can also provide insight on trends specific to your area.
Another benefit of working with a seasoned event coordinator is that you may have the opportunity to develop a strong network of contacts. Being well connected is an attractive quality when one is considering whether to hire an event coordinator. The connections that will prove beneficial include contacts with suppliers, influential people, and segments of untapped markets.
There are a number of places where you can gain attractive work experience. Resorts, hotels, and country clubs often have event operations. These venues often handle a wide range of events such as weddings, parties, and charity functions. Having experience in one area of event planning is likely to be helpful, but having experience with many types of events is likely to be more helpful. This is especially true if you are looking to become an event coordinator who works independently.