4 answers
Vanna
Student
Tolono, Illinois
1
Question
Updated
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Hi! I am a senior in high school and I am planning on becoming an event planner. I have been accepted into many programs for this career and waiting on my #1 choice. My #1 choice is a prestigious school with lots of internship connections and study abroad. I really like a few smaller private schools that I have toured but they do not have majors specific to my career path. I would have to do communications or general business. Should I go with specific and prestigious (if I get in) or is a general degree at a smaller school just as good?
I am a senior in high school and wanting to be an event planner. Cost wise the choices are similar, but the smaller private schools cost a bit more.
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4 answers
Sara Doyle
Exhibits Coordinator
6
Answers
Douglas, Wyoming
Updated
Sara’s Answer
Hi Vanna--
Great question. As Rita and Alex pointed out--in this field, it's going to be your experience more than the specific school you attend. Visit the schools, see which one feels like a good match. While some might have better intern programs, there are tons of programs out there that you can find on your own. Total plug here--the Wyoming State Fair does summer interns as well as fair-time interns. A summer intern would get you some great event planning experience! Plus, they are paid positions, and you'll see a great side of the event industry that you might miss otherwise!
So, pick the school and program that resonates most with you (and honestly, more expensive isn't always better, so don't think you have to go with the most pricy!). And apply for those internships, ask to shadow, and get the experience!
Apply for a summer internship with Wyoming State Fair (wystatefair.com)--they will open up sometime after the first of the year
Find event planners to shadow for an event, esp from planning to execution
Great question. As Rita and Alex pointed out--in this field, it's going to be your experience more than the specific school you attend. Visit the schools, see which one feels like a good match. While some might have better intern programs, there are tons of programs out there that you can find on your own. Total plug here--the Wyoming State Fair does summer interns as well as fair-time interns. A summer intern would get you some great event planning experience! Plus, they are paid positions, and you'll see a great side of the event industry that you might miss otherwise!
So, pick the school and program that resonates most with you (and honestly, more expensive isn't always better, so don't think you have to go with the most pricy!). And apply for those internships, ask to shadow, and get the experience!
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Hi Sara,
Thank you for the advice and for the info about Wyoming State Fair. The college by me is a great school and I can live at home wile going there to save a lot of money. It sounds like I would need my summer jobs etc to be focused on event planning to gain experience. Thanks for the advice !
Vanna
Rita Wilkin
Catering Sales
1
Answer
Greenville, South Carolina
Updated
Rita’s Answer
Hi Vanna!
I totally get why this feels like a huge decision, but here’s the truth that most people in the event world don’t tell you: it doesn’t necessarily matter where you go to school — it matters what you do while you’re there.
A prestigious program is great if you get in, but a smaller or more affordable school can set you up just as well if you use your time wisely. In this industry, your first few years after college are usually spent working under other planners, gaining hands-on experience, often in hourly or entry-level roles. Your degree helps you get started, but your experience is what actually moves you forward.
If I were you, I’d seriously consider the school that is more affordable and gives you the freedom to take internships, part-time event jobs, campus programming roles, wedding assistant gigs — anything that gets you in the room and learning. That real-world exposure is worth more than any specific major.
The event industry is all about what you know and who you know. No one asks where you went to college — they ask what events you’ve worked, who you’ve assisted, and what skills you bring to the table. A communications or business degree is totally fine, because the real learning happens on the job.
My biggest advice?
Do as many internships as you can, volunteer for events, work part-time with planners or venues, and build connections everywhere you go, especially geographically where you want to work. That’s what will actually shape your career.
You’re already thinking about this the right way — you’re going to do great!
I totally get why this feels like a huge decision, but here’s the truth that most people in the event world don’t tell you: it doesn’t necessarily matter where you go to school — it matters what you do while you’re there.
A prestigious program is great if you get in, but a smaller or more affordable school can set you up just as well if you use your time wisely. In this industry, your first few years after college are usually spent working under other planners, gaining hands-on experience, often in hourly or entry-level roles. Your degree helps you get started, but your experience is what actually moves you forward.
If I were you, I’d seriously consider the school that is more affordable and gives you the freedom to take internships, part-time event jobs, campus programming roles, wedding assistant gigs — anything that gets you in the room and learning. That real-world exposure is worth more than any specific major.
The event industry is all about what you know and who you know. No one asks where you went to college — they ask what events you’ve worked, who you’ve assisted, and what skills you bring to the table. A communications or business degree is totally fine, because the real learning happens on the job.
My biggest advice?
Do as many internships as you can, volunteer for events, work part-time with planners or venues, and build connections everywhere you go, especially geographically where you want to work. That’s what will actually shape your career.
You’re already thinking about this the right way — you’re going to do great!
Thank you for the advice.
Vanna
Alex Crispino
Purpose Activation Manager
18
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Alex’s Answer
This is a great question! For event planning, your experience matters more than the university you attend. I would focus on the university you feel most yourself at and gaining practical experiences. You can achieve this through internships or serving as a volunteer at events.
Thank you, Alex!
Vanna
Shantell Thomas
Human Resources
3
Answers
Durham, North Carolina
Updated
Shantell’s Answer
Oh what a worthy pursuit! Your college choice is such a lifechanging decision. You could possibly meet your favorite professor, your life partner, your life-long best friend or even be inspired to choose a totally different career path...so much is riding on this decision that could totally change the outcome of any these factors.
My first job out of college was (official title) an Event Marketing Strategist and I snagged it with a B.A. in Communications. You are so far ahead - nailing down an actual Event - specific program. My observations from the 'real-world:'
-I graduated from college 30 years ago and since that time, I have never worked with anyone (even early career talent), that has an actual Event Degree.
-A broad degree means you could possibly tackle anything in marketing communications like events, content editing, social media, etc.
-Checkout Linkedin to research the career ladder (career jungle gym) of people in Events to see what their path reveals (see what programs they chose)
By the way, I was waitlisted for my number one choice, thought I would wait it out at a nearby college, loved it so much and literally - met my favorite professors, my life partner, life-long best friend and was inspired to switch careers (I went to school to become a broadcast journalist)!
My first job out of college was (official title) an Event Marketing Strategist and I snagged it with a B.A. in Communications. You are so far ahead - nailing down an actual Event - specific program. My observations from the 'real-world:'
-I graduated from college 30 years ago and since that time, I have never worked with anyone (even early career talent), that has an actual Event Degree.
-A broad degree means you could possibly tackle anything in marketing communications like events, content editing, social media, etc.
-Checkout Linkedin to research the career ladder (career jungle gym) of people in Events to see what their path reveals (see what programs they chose)
By the way, I was waitlisted for my number one choice, thought I would wait it out at a nearby college, loved it so much and literally - met my favorite professors, my life partner, life-long best friend and was inspired to switch careers (I went to school to become a broadcast journalist)!