If you have decided to move forward with your goal of becoming an event planner, your first step is to enroll in a related degree program. Aspiring event planners may benefit from a bachelor’s program in communications. Communications majors focus on developing many important interpersonal skills that are critical when working closely with clients, staff and co-workers.
During your studies, you will focus on refining your written and verbal communication skills. This will serve you well as an event planner, but a communications degree can also serve as a springboard for pursuing many other career choices across all industries. Some of the topics you can expect to study include:
- Interpersonal, small group, intercultural, public and mass communications
- Conflict communication and the negotiation process
- Principles and elements of argumentation and advocacy
- Principles, theories and practices of public relations
- Training and development within an organizational setting
Although you will spend a great deal of time working on your class assignments and studying, you should also consider joining campus clubs and extra-curricular activities that are relevant to your major or career goals. For example, you might consider contributing to the campus newspaper or joining a business-related club.
You can also look for opportunities to practice planning events. You might volunteer to help set up a charity drive or to arrange club fundraising events, for instance. Not only does this enable you to build important skills, but it also helps you build connections and allows you to add more accomplishments to your resume upon graduation.
