What can you do with a Event Management degree?

First, some facts. Of the Event Management graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:

These are estimates based on AI analysis of 82 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 64%, Event Management graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-3%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

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Also, after graduating, only 8% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Event Management graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

• What jobs can you get with a Event Management degree?
• What do Event Management graduates do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Event Management degree? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Event Management degree?
• What are the best colleges for Event Management?

View a random Event Management graduate and our analysis:

Relevance score: 96% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2014 from University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Event Management. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Sales Associate Bath & Body Works Oct 2020 - Mar 2021 The Sales Associate position at Bath & Body Works does not require skills specific to event management, focusing instead on retail sales and customer service. Creative Services Intern Hello! Destination Management Jan 2014 - Apr 2014 As a Creative Services Intern at Hello! Destination Management, the role directly relates to event planning and management skills developed during the Bachelor's program, requiring specific knowledge of event logistics. Sales Coordinator Hello! Destination Management Apr 2014 - Aug 2015 The Sales Coordinator position at Hello! Destination Management utilizes event planning and organizational skills that are core components of the Event Management degree. Account Manager Hello! Destination Management Aug 2015 - Feb 2017 The role of Account Manager at Hello! Destination Management requires the application of event management principles, making it directly relevant to the degree earned. Senior Account Manager Hello! Destination Management Feb 2017 - May 2019 As a Senior Account Manager at Hello! Destination Management, the responsibilities are closely aligned with the skills and knowledge from the event management curriculum, emphasizing project management and logistical coordination. Director Of Operations Hello! Destination Management May 2019 - Apr 2021 The Director of Operations at Hello! Destination Management necessitates advanced event management capabilities and strategic planning, fully utilizing skills from the Bachelor's degree. Senior Account Manager Hello! Destination Management Apr 2021 - Sep 2021 The position of Senior Account Manager at Hello! Destination Management entails significant application of event management knowledge and skills, making it pertinent to the person's degree. Director of Program Design Hello! Destination Management Sep 2021 - Oct 2023 As Director of Program Design at Hello! Destination Management, the role directly utilizes event management expertise in creating and executing event strategies, fulfilling the qualifications outlined in the degree. Account Executive Hello! Destination Management Oct 2023 - Present The Account Executive position at Hello! Destination Management involves developing client relationships and managing events, directly tying back to the individual's education in event management. ABOUT What do you want to be when you grow up? A question that is repeatedly asked as a child, a teenager and early adulthood. I wanted to be an artist. What could be better than making a living off drawing and painting? SO many other things! I wouldn't say I was a starving artist, but I did have to work my way through college to pay for the necessities: books, paints, bills, maybe even a movie ticket or two? I worked for 3 years slinging bar-b-que by day and spending countless hours in the studio at night. My drawing class was 3 hours long and I would watch the clock tick until I could leave and throw my pig shirt on and get to my shift. Whether it was working in the restaurant for my shift or going onsite to a catering, I would much rather be there than in that studio. One semester away from my portfolio review to be one of the 47 students that would be accepted into the graphic design program and well on my way to get my B.F.A, I had an ah-ha! moment. If I was this gratified to go into work and create memorable experiences for the guest, why not go to school for it?I completed the remainder of the fall semester and the following January, I was enrolled at UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Unsure of what to study for, I took many classes; restaurant management, theme park management, hospitality law and even history and culture of wine. Rosen offers a general hospitality management degree, but that wasn't good enough. I wanted to focus on one thing and become great. I started the path to event management which I received my bachelor of science in. If you never go after what you want, you'll never have it.

What jobs can you get with a Event Management degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:

• Event Coordinator
• Event Manager
• Sales Coordinator
• Intern
• Account Manager
• Administrative Assistant
• Operations Manager
• Account Executive
• Events Manager
• Catering Sales Manager

When analyzing the career trajectories of individuals who've graduated with a degree in Event Management, it becomes apparent that there’s a wide range of jobs they’ve taken on. Many of these roles tie back to the skills learned during their studies, while others drift away from the core principles of event management. At first glance, positions like Event Manager, Event Coordinator, and roles focused on catering sales directly align with their education and utilize the specific skills they acquired. These jobs often involve planning events, coordinating logistics, managing guests, and ensuring that everything runs smoothly, which is essentially what the degree is designed to prepare them for.

However, there lies a significant amount of diversity in the employment landscape. A number of graduates have ended up in roles that aren't strongly linked to event management, like marketing positions, sales, or even customer service. For example, roles such as Sales Manager or Customer Service Coordinator don't inherently require event management skills. While some aspects of these jobs may touch upon related areas, such as organization or communication, they don't fully engage with the core competencies developed during their education. Positions like Helpdesk Support or even roles in real estate further highlight this disconnect, as these jobs are primarily focused on sales or technical support rather than event organization and client engagement which is the real focus of an Event Management degree.

Interestingly, even among those who land roles with some event management elements, the relevance can be inconsistent. For example, someone working as a Marketing Coordinator might be involved in promotional events, but their role predominantly focuses on marketing rather than the intricacies of planning and executing events. It’s like they’re in the event world but not quite in the thick of it. Ultimately, while numerous graduates find fulfilling work in the event planning sphere, a considerable portion ends up in positions where their education plays a lesser role, emphasizing the need for further examination into how well event management programs are aligning with industry demands and whether there are enough career pathways specifically designed for their skillsets. This disparity highlights the broader conversation surrounding the applicability of one’s education in the real world, showing that while a degree is undoubtedly valuable, the journey post-graduation can be an unpredictable one.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Event Management graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Event Management graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Based on the career trajectories of graduates from Event Management programs, it appears that many have started out in roles that relate directly to their degree. A common pattern for recent graduates involves landing their first jobs in entry-level positions such as Event Coordinators, Marketing Assistants, or Social Media Managers. This is great news for those pursuing this field, as it shows that there are indeed pathways that lead directly into event planning and management from the get-go. For instance, several graduates began their careers as assistants or coordinators in events, which gives them practical experience right away and sets them up for growth.

As we look five to ten years into their careers, it becomes clear that a mixed bag emerges. Many of them transition into more senior roles, such as Event Managers or Directors, with some even starting their own event planning companies. For example, graduates who initially worked as Event Coordinators or Sales Coordinators quickly moved up to Event Manager positions or started their own agencies. However, there are also graduates who veered off the event management path into unrelated fields like marketing, real estate, and even teaching. This divergence suggests that while a degree in Event Management can provide a stepping stone into the industry, it doesn't guarantee a lifelong career in that specific field.

Ultimately, the landscape for Event Management graduates seems a mix of ambition and adaptability. While many have found success in their respective fields, they’ve also had to be flexible. The initial jobs after graduation are fairly solidly connected to event planning, but over time, the paths become more varied, with some graduates successfully climbing the ladder in event-related roles, while others pivot entirely into different sectors. Hence, the takeaway here is that although a degree in Event Management offers some great opportunities, the journey thereafter can vary significantly based on individual choices and circumstances.

How hard is a Event Management degree?

A Bachelor’s degree in Event Management can be a mixed bag; it’s not usually as tough as something like engineering or medicine, but it definitely has its challenges. You'll be juggling a lot of practical stuff like planning events, working with budgets, and dealing with unexpected problems, which can be pretty stressful. At the same time, there are aspects that may feel more straightforward, especially if you're creative and enjoy organizing things. So, while it might be easier than your average degree in terms of hard science classes, you still need to be on top of your game with multitasking and communication skills. Overall, it can be a fun ride if you're passionate about it, but it’s not a walk in the park either!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Event Management.

Do Event Management graduates tend to make good money?

So, looking at these Event Management grads, it seems like some of them are doing pretty well in terms of their job progression and potential earnings. For example, the ones who graduated from the University of Central Florida with experience working in hotels and big event companies like Disney and Gaylord Hotels probably have decent salaries, especially in managerial positions. However, there are also some who have taken roles that sound more entry-level or in education, which might not pay as well, so it really depends on the specific job and industry they’re in.

Overall, it’s a mixed bag. Some graduates have climbed the ladder into solid managerial or director roles, while others are still working in roles that might not yield high pay. If I had to guess, those involved in large-scale events or tourism seem to be on a better financial path, while those in educational or less specialized roles might be seeing some limitations. So, it’s clear that the event management field can vary a lot based on the specific career choices and paths taken after graduation.

What buzzwords do Event Management graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Event Management. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Event Management?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Event Management (ordered by the average relevance score of their Event Management graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College	Score	Count
University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management	75	16
University of Central Florida	61	24
Iowa State University	58	23