Online Event Planning Careers

Event Planning School: What to Expect

If you choose to attend an event planning school, you will likely take event planning courses that teach you about managing staff, organizing large groups of people, budgeting, catering, and interior decorating. Hands-on activities could include making flower arrangements, designing menus, and creating invitations.

The length of your event planning program depends on whether you are just looking for certification or you are pursuing a degree in hospitality management. Look for event planning schools that offer internship opportunities so you can develop your client skills and start creating a portfolio of your work.

Coursework may include:

• Corporate event planning
• Accounting
• Management
• Food services
• Sales and marketing

Career Options for Event Planning School Graduates

After graduation, you can explore a variety of event planning jobs. You could work for a convention center, hotel, or corporation, or you could start your own event planning business. Depending on the event planning courses you've taken, you can prepare for a career as a wedding planner, convention planner, caterer, or hotel event manager.

Salary Outlook for Event Planning School Degree Holders

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the following were mean annual salaries for event planning jobs in 2009:

• Meeting and convention planners: $48,060
• Managers of food preparation and serving workers: $31,460
• Lodging managers: $53,500

Of course, if you go into business for yourself, your salary depends on the clients and jobs you are able to secure.

According to the BLS, event planning can be a competitive field and those with a bachelor's degree have an edge in marketing their business and competing for high-profile jobs.