Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Event Managers and Marketers
Rachelle suggests entry-level event professionals should seek "any service industry job" emphasizing experience ownership and delivering positive experiences; marketing roles within agencies facilitating events are also ideal, even starting in support roles like "the supplies person," highlighting the importance of demonstrating logistical skills and a commitment to the overall event experience.
Event Management, Marketing, Logistics, Customer Service, Entry-Level Jobs
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Rachelle Platis
Event Manager & Marketer
George P Johnson, Applied Underwriters, Google Chrome Enterprise
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
N/A
Hospitality Administration
Hospitality, Restaurants & Events, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Operations and Project Management
Honors Student, Took Out Loans, Transfer Student, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Start with service industry jobs to develop experience providing excellent customer service.
2. Seek entry-level marketing positions in companies or agencies that facilitate events; even a supporting role is valuable.
3. Volunteer for events to gain hands-on experience and demonstrate logistical skills; managing even a small part of an event is beneficial.
Transcript
What entry-level positions in this field might an undergraduate college student consider?
I think any service industry job, or anything where you're serving someone, can be a great experience. This is as long as you take ownership and do your best to provide a good experience for the customer. I think that's a great starting point.
I worked in catering and volunteered for events often. I also worked with a DJ lighting company and did photo booth services. Even volunteering is really helpful, but gaining experience where you can manage even a small part of the event experience is beneficial.
For example, when I volunteered for a triathlon, I was in charge of the aid stations. This was just one component of a huge race, but there was so much that went into it. It honestly could have been a job for two people.
Anything that touches an event is helpful. However, I also think a great position to start in is marketing. Many marketing roles, agencies, or companies help facilitate events for other companies, as that's a huge component of marketing now.
If you can get in with a marketing team that helps host events, even in a supporting role like the supplies person, do it. Put together bins of pens and tape and scissors for these events. Do whatever you can to get your foot in the door.
Prove that you can handle a lot of logistics. Anything with logistics is also valuable. But you also need to have a component where you have a stake in the actual experience delivered; that is key. Anything like that would be helpful.