What can you do with an events management degree?

Your studies will provide a broad range of skills that are valuable to employers:

• planning and project management through independent research tasks and practical modules
• managing the logistics of planning and staging events, from conception to final delivery
• budgeting and learning how to raise funds
• marketing and promoting your events
• developing a strong awareness of customer service and working closely to a client brief
• written and verbal communication through writing and presenting reports
• problem-solving and flexibility through multiple, complex caseloads and working events from set-up to pack down
• team-work and leadership skills through group projects
• collecting, analysing and evaluating information through seminar work and independent assignments
• time management through juggling different module assessment requirements and work-based learning alongside studies.

Events management is an exciting, varied and fast-paced career path, and the degree will equip you with the skills needed to run events ranging from smaller corporate gatherings to larger festivals and weddings (to name a few). The course offers practical modules, which are the perfect opportunity to gauge which events interest you and could indicate the next steps you take when you graduate. Typical settings include hospitality (such as hotels and conference centres), sport, leisure and business, as well as charities and fundraising within the voluntary sector.

Less obvious settings can also include heritage (such as in museums and visitor centres) or in the corporate world as a marketing executive. Your attention to detail and ability to measure the needs of the client will lend itself to these career paths well. The course also gives you the option to learn a second language, which would open up further career avenues and client bases.

One thing to bear in mind with graduate options for events management is the competitive nature of the job, so gaining experience in varied events settings will stand you in good stead going forward.

Researching your career options

With such a wide range of careers open to you as an events management graduate, you should explore and research your options thoroughly so that you can make informed decisions about your future.

The following websites provide helpful information and inspiration for career research:

Prospects

Association of Event Organisers

Even Marketing Association

Institute of Event Management

The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers

Conference News

Association of Event Venues

 

Employment opportunities

Below is a snapshot of what some University of Plymouth events management graduates told us they were doing 15 months after graduation. For some graduates, these jobs serve as ‘stepping stones’ to professional posts by providing relevant workplace experience.





Employers to consider

• Andrew Brownswords Ltd
• Big Twisted Goat
• Butcombe Brewery
• Campfire Marketing Ltd
• Cordant People
• Crowne Plaza Hotel - Meriden Leisure Hotels (Franchise)
• De Vere
• Electric Films
• First Choice Conference and Events
• Godney Gathering Limited
• Help for Heroes
• Highcliffe Castle
• Magnus
• Mistique Events
• NHS
• Oynx Events
• Real Ideas Organisation
• Redactive Events
• Softcat
• Wonder London

*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys of 2017/18 and 2018/19.  Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for 24 UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.

Further study

Some of the careers chosen by events management graduates will require—or benefit from—further study, so this should be considered carefully. The University of Plymouth offers the following postgraduate study options that could be of interest:

• MSc Business and Management

• MA Human Resource Management

• MSc Tourism and Hospitality Management

• MSc Digital and Social Media Marketing

You should consider the financial implications of further study as well as selecting a programme that suits your interests, learning style and future career direction. The following websites are a good starting point for exploring postgraduate options, but you may also benefit from talking to a Careers Consultant about your particular situation.

Some useful websites to help you find a suitable postgraduate programme:

• Find a Masters
• Find a PhD
• Prospects

It is also worth investigating what further study options the University has to offer as you may find the perfect course for yourself in an institution you already know. There are also sometimes financial benefits of staying on such as a fee discount to Alumni, find out your funding options here.

Accessing support from the Careers Service couldn’t be easier; come along to the Careers Service Helpdesk in the Student Hub or access our 24/7 online resources.

A wide range of support is available from skills workshops to events, placements and internships advice, 1-2-1 appointments and help getting started with LinkedIn.

Our bite-sized Skills Workshops can give your career the boost it needs. Choose from a range of topics:

• effective career planning
• job hunting techniques
• finding part-time work
• CVs and interviews
• mastering LinkedIn
• and more.

Workshops are delivered by the Careers Service; however, they are also an opportunity to learn from your peers, share experiences and ask questions. Visit myCareer to see the full range of activities and to book your place.

Build your network and job-sector knowledge using LinkedIn’s alumni tool. This will allow you to see the career journeys of graduates from your programme, the qualifications they completed, the skills they developed and the employers they worked for. You can then ‘connect’ with people of interest.

• Search LinkedIn for ‘University of Plymouth’
• click on ‘Alumni’
• filter the results by subject, sector, company or location.

For more information about the alumni tool, click on the LinkedIn alumni tool guide. If you are looking for help with setting up or learning how to make the most out of your LinkedIn profile, click on the LinkedIn guide for students or come to one of our workshops.

Gain work experience

Undertaking work experience in your first and second years will help you stand out from the crowd when the time comes for you to complete applications for graduate employment and further study. Work experience develops valuable skills and qualities that employers are looking for and is essential for many roles. It can also help you to confirm or rule out particular career choices. Furthermore, experience in the workplace can bring you into contact with people who may be able to assist you at the beginning of your career.

You have plenty of options open to you. You could apply for a placement year, work part-time around your studies, undertake volunteering or approach organisations directly to negotiate short periods of work experience. Some organisations offer paid internships over the summer or of one year’s duration.

The University of Plymouth Students’ Union also offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities

Tutor and academic support

Your tutor and other academic staff are excellent sources of support for your career development. They will have experience and contacts across industry and academia, so definitely approach them for advice and insights into careers you are considering. Your tutor will ultimately write references for your employment or further study applications, so establishing a positive relationship with this person is invaluable.

 

Clubs and societies 

Engaging in a sport or society shows employers you are engaged and can seek out opportunities. It also helps you improve your teamwork, communication and negotiation skills. Committee members develop leadership, diplomacy and organisational skills and will gain experience of meetings, handling funds and society promotion.

You may choose to join a society that is specifically linked to events management or take the opportunity to explore the university’s wide range of clubs, societies and sports, all of which can help you to broaden your horizons and explore new interests.