I'd like to switch careers and break into the event planning field - how can I do this?
Asked by Hannah F
I'm currently a certified interior designer but that career has never really excited me. I LOVE planning and organizing events outside of work though - dinner parties, hoiday events, bridal showers, birthday celebrations. I'd really like to work for a corporation or a conference/resort center as a professional event planner but am not sure how to break into the field without any prior formal experience. I also can't afford to take much down time or start at the very "bottom". What do you recommend? What's the best way to break into the field? How did YOU do it?

Best Answer:
As with any career switch, experience is key. Anything related that you can show on your resume is best. Describe the events you've planned before and estimate your time (how long you've been planning). This is the time you could use a functional resume rather than a chronological format. Search on-line for event planner positions and see what their requirements are, so you know how to write your resume. Getting into corporations may be tough if you are not looking for entry level, but still try. Your best bet may be to start with a non-profit organization that way you can quick hands on experience and learn a lot in a short amount of time. You can also work towards certification, provided that you have enough quantifiable experience. Look at www.mpi-web.org this is the Meeting Professionals Association. The website is full of good information. Through networking, I was blessed with an opportunity (a start) at a non-profit, and I took advantage of the opportunity to learn as much as I could to build my experience. At a hotel, you can check with the sales department to find out their needs for event coordinators, or with fine restaurants or private member clubs. While you are still in your profession, join a club or society and sign up for the events or PR committee so you can document experience in planning/coordinating those events. Good luck

Get busy with your church and other non-profit organizations getting some practice organizing their fucntions for free. Of course , let's do this while we still have the day job. If I think of anything else I'll return and add to this if the time permits.
Answered by prince h