I'm a Social Worker and want to become an Event Planner. All the jobs ask for experience. Where can I start?

Question

I've already redone my resume, highlighting the skills and responsibilities that I currently have, which coincide w/ that of an Event Planner; but I haven't gotten any results as yet. I invested a lot of money into my Masters in Social Work, so I really don't want to have to get a second Masters. But I'm not fulfilled in my current job. It doesn't allow me to use all of the skills that I possess, and I'm unhappy and unfulfilled. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

There is some good advice here. The key is to know that the MSW has already given you the skills to manage multiple complex events (which is the heart of event planning). Also you have an additional skill of crisis management critical as anything that can go wrong often will in an event. Networking with people in the field and doing some "interning" would also help you make the connections between your past career and how you want to move it. You might also look at volunteering for events related to social work (fund raisers and the like). This will also give you credit. DA

Answer 2

I have a background (BA) in social work too. I have never really done casework but I have found the degree plenty handy. So it's not all that out of the ordinary. We helpers tend to get a little burnt after a while don't we?

I would keep whatever job you have now, or stay within the helping professions and look for ways within the field to highlight skills that pertain to event planning. If you aren't already involved with community action, I would try there because it is about mobilizing large numbers of people around a cause, very similar to event planning on a much smaller budget usually. It will re-energize you for the social work field, taking on new projects, even if it does involve a certain amount of volunteering and extra work...because it will be doing things that YOU want to do to get more current experience and to start documenting your work. When you do a good job for someone, take the time to write up a summary of your work as well as a reference from a happy supervisor. This goes into your portfolio as a freelancer. I haven't heard you speak about going out on your own as an event consultant, instead of working for someone else, and frankly, I don't know that there are too many in-house event planners on standby for employers...they hire as needed.

Fundraising is a part of many social work positions, and a lot of times, this involves planning events. Similar is grant writing (more like fundraising on paper) where you have to lay out a program and detail how gifted money would be spent. Perfect use of your time while you gear up for something new like event planning. Both involve schmoozing, people skills, selling your cause, and networking to get things done. VERY familiar ground for a social worker.

On the more clinical side, your experience with even basic counseling has given you a great deal of time to LISTEN to your clients and find out what they are really saying and what they really need from you in terms of coordinating services for them. And you have no doubt trained to allow each client his/her own self-determination, meaning that whatever THEY want their life to be, you help facilitate that. These things are invaluable to anyone planning events because your clients will be wanting a once in a lifetime experience that reflects THEIR vision of the event. Your ability to know what they want, read between the lines, and work within their budget, will be needed to pull off a great event for them.

So my advice is to keep plugging along but get some of the spark back by practicing skills you will need in the future.

Answer 3

It is not always easy to shift careers, however you think that you have the same skill set in the other career.

To make the shift easier, my suggestions include:

- Finding an event planning company and doing apprenticeship or internship with the company. It's offputting at times to think of starting from the very bottom (especially if you have advanced degrees), but think of it as an opportunity to learn the ropes of this business.

- Try to get certified in various fields of event planning. Most will require experience in the field, but talk and check with these organizations and learn from them:

International Special Events Society: Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) http://www.ises.com/csep/intro.cfm
Meeting Professionals International: Certification in Meeting Management (CMM) http://www.mpiweb.org/education/cmm/
Convention Industry Council: Certified Meeting Professional Program (CMP) http://www.conventionindustry.org/cmp/
Connected International Meeting Professionals Association: Certified Global Meeting Planner http://www.cimpa.org/cgmp.htm
Association of Destination Management Executives: Destination Management Certified Professional http://www.adme.org/members/DMCPCertification.asp

Here are other resources where you can learn how to be an event planner

Books

How to Start a Home-Based Event Planning Business
The Essential Event Planning Kit
The Business of Event Planning: Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of Successful Special Events
Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Your Own Event Planning Business : Your Step by Step Guide to Success (Start Your Own Event Planning)
Event Planning : The Ultimate Guide to Successful Meetings, Corporate Events, Fundraising Galas, Conferences, Conventions, Incentives and Other Special Events
Complete Idiot's Guide to Meeting and Event Planning
Opportunities in Event Planning Careers
Event Planning Ethics and Etiquette: A Principled Approach to the Business of Special Event Management

Associations

Convention Industry Council
International Special Events Society
Meeting Professionals International
National Association of Catering Executives
Professional Convention Management Association

Magazines and Publications

Corporate Meetings and Incentives
The Meeting Professional
Special Events Magazine
Meetings and Conventions
Successful Meetings
Tradeshow Week
Travel Weekly

Answer 4

I think one of the best ways to gain experience in a field is to offer to volunteer....it doesn't cost a penny (unlike a Masters
in Social Work :o).......) and you won't run the risk of being turned away. Your skills you have developed will come in handy when dealing with the public....check your local community for a hospital volunteer group, or maybe your local boys and girls club - Has your social work been with a certain group of people, handicapped? welfare? a certain nationality.........maybe you can link a fund raiser to one of the groups you have worked with....it is never to late to broaden
out - social work can be very emotional and you too need another outlet...try volunteering. The rest will happen!

Answer 5

what i would do is just keep your current job and use friends and place ads in the local paper. I have a coworker now who is extremely talented with photography and keeps both jobs till hi photography business takes off. Im thinking of starting a real estate investment compnay so good luck to you and if you find any pointers be sure ot let me know

Answer 6

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Answer 7

well i dont really know. i think you should keep your job.