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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Events Management Degree

22 replies

GasLightShining · 12/08/2016 13:56

Has anyone any experience? Are they worth doing?

My DD is looking at this and I haven't a clue. We went to an open day and they made a big things about companies wanting staff with degrees but they would say that.

OP posts:
TaIkinPeace · 12/08/2016 14:38

I know several people who run events management companies.
They did totally different degrees.
Do a degree that leaves lots of options open, rather than one that closes them off.

todayitstarts · 12/08/2016 14:43

I wouldn't have thought so, no. Event management is all about organisational skills and you don't need a degree for that. I'm amazed that there is a degree in it tbh. Business management perhaps?

Sorry but it doesn't really make sense to me

LordRothermereBlackshirtCunt · 12/08/2016 14:43

Quite a few of my students have gone into events management in prestigious organisations. They have a humanities degree from a top 10 university. And, as Talkin points out, they had other options at the end of their degree.

vvviola · 12/08/2016 14:45

I worked in (sort of) events management for a while. I can't think of anything I could have learnt in a degree that I didn't learn hands-on.

If events management is the way she wants to go, I would think that a general hospitality or business management course would be of more use (with some part-time work in the events arena if at all possible)

Haffdonga · 12/08/2016 15:08

I helped somebody who had an EM degree apply for an EM job last week. The job vacancy stated that applicants needed an Events Management degree OR related experience. (So obviously some employers do take the degrees into account).

Funnily enough, her degree had not prepared her in any way to actually work in events judging from the extremely limited practical experience she had got from uni. She had been unemployed for a year since leaving. Jobs are very competitive and few and far between in some parts of the country.

I'd say, an events mangement degree is as useful or not as any other humanities degree. It's experience and personality that counts and you can get that working at your local hotel. But if you want to go to uni and you are keen to do that course then go for it.

Original poster
GasLightShining · 12/08/2016 15:12

I did forget to say that she would now be classed as a mature student and works full time. She is going to try and get some work experience but she works shifts (place runs 24/7) and can often get to almost the end of the month and still be waiting for the next month's rotas. Hopefully someone will have her!

I am trying to persuade her that hospitality might be more suitable.

I don't think a humanities degree will be an option - it will need to be more vocational.

Thanks

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dreamingofsun · 12/08/2016 15:18

one of my son's briefly looked at doing a degree in events management but decided to do business management instead - our feelings were that it would be easier to get an events management job with a business management degree than the other way round. A lot of things they teach seemed to be similar - eg finance.

ShotsFired · 12/08/2016 15:25

I am currently in the midst of organising a big event. It's not my job, but is related to my overall work discipline, and at present, staff shortages mean it landed with me...

I have been working in my field for decades now, and some of the stuff I am forgetting I need to do with regards to events planning is quite basic. This probably because I would usually have junior staff to do some of the work involved, but this is a long winded way of saying that - as per pp - she needs the skills, not the degree.

I expect she could find a business course with a EM/related module?

hels18 · 12/08/2016 15:35

I would suggest that she takes another course that she has interests in, that perhaps she could specialise in later on. Whilst at uni, gain as much experience as possible with running and organising events. Sports events, balls, society events, foreign visits etc. This really gave me the experience that is valued in the industry today (budget management, building contacts, logistics etc).

I took a geography degree, which set me up perfectly for running events now for my full time role. I specialise in events in a certain region which I grew to love during my degree, but wouldn't have needed a 3 year course in events to get the role.

bojorojo · 12/08/2016 17:45

Without being too blunt it is what fairly rich girls do when they don't get into a better university! They know the people who run the companies. Avoid it. It is irrelevant to most people. Experience is far more valuable and do a more generalist degree.

bojorojo · 12/08/2016 17:47

What A levels is she doing?

Original poster
GasLightShining · 12/08/2016 19:02

We don't know people who run companies and pretty sure we are not fairly rich.

She has Food and Nutrition, Food Technology and an AS Travel and Tourism. Not brilliant grades as she had a pretty hideous time at college so looking at either a foundation degree course to start with or try and get accepted as a mature student on a BA course.

I do agree with you but I need to persuade her.

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TaIkinPeace · 12/08/2016 19:12

gaslight
At this stage she needs to widen her options as far as is possible.
A bland degree like business or hospitality will give her far better career prospects and options.
If she can do a foundation course to widen out that would be good.

Alternatively, if she is numerate, get her to look at qualifying as a CIMA on day release from an employer (I know several people who do such working for cruise companies)
You come out with the ultimate portable qualification (accountancy) but with a ton of experience (management)
and get to do sessions in the events and tourism industries.

But basically I'd say - leave college, get a job with an employer who will pay for her training.
She'll earn less in the short term but much more in the long term.

thesandwich · 13/08/2016 16:41

Have a look at volunteering at large shows at places like Birminham nec etc- dd has done the skill show,insomnia, and has gained massively. Or offer to volunteer with a local charity who arrange events.
Good luck!

Original poster
GasLightShining · 13/08/2016 20:01

Thanks again everyone

Needs to have a good chat with her as open days will be starting soon. Hope she listens but at 21 I can't make her do anything

Talkin Think accountancy is a great idea but unfortunately A level accountancy wasn't a great success! For others though

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bojorojo · 13/08/2016 21:16

She has chosen A levels that are Hodpitality and Travel oriented. Could she not find an apprenticeship or higher qualification using her A levels? Maths does not seem to be a strength so I would look at what she is good at and where there is a good chance of employment.

MarbleFox · 17/08/2016 10:20

I realise this thread has been inactive for a couple of days now but I thought you might appreciate some friendly advice nonetheless. Smile I dated my expartner for over a year, who has a events management degree and this is what I've gathered about the degree from our time together.

I hope I don't come across as stuck up, or sound too harsh but I'd really try to steer her away from studying events management. Gently nudge her towards a similar but much more versatile option, as others have pointed out business management is a really good choice.
My ex seriously regretted studying events management. He now considers those years of his life spent studying to be an utter waste of time and money because he's never obtained a worthwhile job from it. He desperately wishes that he'd either studied something else, put more time/effort into gaining experience while at uni or had went straight from school into the workforce. He also returned as a mature student by the way.

I guess my takeaway from what he's said to me is to either study something else entirely or spend a good chunk of your free time during university gaining experience in events. This could be done by volunteering with charities and whatnot, or even by establishing and running your own society. Failing that I do think that you don't necessarily need the degree at all which isn't a bad thing. Gaining experience one way or another really is key if she wants to be successful.

All in all it seemed to me that his degree counted for nothing in the face of his lack of experience, and I'm sure he'd tell you the same.

Exploretheunexplored23 · 17/08/2016 10:28

I recommend a business hnd. She should get on with her grades and there is an option to do an events management course in the syllabus. The classes tend to be small and she could select this module. I did a business degree and my dp a business hnd and we have always found getting work very easy after the degree but before were stuck in basic jobs. In my opinion a business degree wont let you down as its so varied.

Original poster
GasLightShining · 17/08/2016 15:12

Thanks again - more posts confirming what I think.

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mumma24 · 18/08/2016 12:32

My daughters friend is studying this at Greenwich uni and has her placement year working for Disney in London. She loves it

Fadingmemory · 19/08/2016 08:45

Someone I know is doing an EM degree at Sheffield Hallam. She loves it and has done a year out in Oz. A lot of transferable skills involved. As somene else said, though, a degree isn't strictly necessary for some employers at least. Perhaps she could take a more "useful" degree with an EM element - keep all possible options open.

CatNip2 · 22/08/2016 21:33

I know someone that did this at Liverpool John moore and became a primary school teacher after an extra years training.

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