Special Events Technical Producer (Fox Studios)
WHAT YOU DO: Discuss special events (private parties, red carpets, business meetings, etc.) with clients to work out their budget, needs, and visions. Scope out venues; meet with vendors about food, decorations, and entertainment; and make decisions based on what the client wants, needs, and can afford. Then, supervise on-site crew to make sure the event goes smoothly.
EDUCATION: A Bachelor's degree in hospitality management is ideal. Public relations, communications, marketing, or business majors who would like to become event planners should take on internships in the industry to build experience and increase their chances of getting hired.
USEFUL SKILLS: Organizational and communication skills are most important for event planners, who must carefully coordinate clients, vendors, staff, and guests to pull off a successful event.
HOW TO GET IN: To gain experience with planning, work as a volunteer at events held by nonprofits or coordinate events for a university club. An understanding of different roles in the event planning process will make you much more desirable job candidate.
CAREER PATH: Entry-level planners are often tasked with organizing meetings (registering guests, setting up equipment) and gain responsibilities as they gain experience. Advanced planners manage the coordination of larger events and communicate with everyone involved -- clients, venue-owners, vendors, and employees. For some people with years of experience managing larger events, the next step is to become an independent consultant or even open up an event-planning firm.
PAYBACK: Median annual salary: $46,020.
DOWNSIDES: Event planners are under an enormous deal of stress throughout the planning process and especially on the day of the event. They must work long hours, be patient with clients and crew, and stay calm when complications arise.
FUTURE OF JOB: Though event-planning opportunities are expected to grow faster than average, people are eager to enter the field and there is strong competition.
Video produced by students at LAHSA (Los Angeles High School of the Arts) working with Gigniks' careers media program.
-- Ali Sanford (LACES 12th grade)