Hi,
I graduated mid-year with a degree in events/marketing, and have applied for 100s of jobs, resulting in a few interviews. Have been offered three positions, though they all pay in exposure, networking opps and experience sigh much like the ones I did throughout my course. I have five years of experience (80+ events) from committee positions (actual event planning) to FOH/BOH (serving positions) across all types of events (except personal events, and fashion - which I don't want to do).
But in interviews I always feel like it's not enough? I feel that I need to actually create events, and I don't mean just pinning inspiration. Actually going out there and creating all the deco, dessert buffets, themeing & styling (this would be pretty expensive, unless I knew someone who wanted free styling in exchange for photos for my portfolio). Doing a budget sheet just like a real event, but then doing the photoshoot at my place/a park. Creating a portfolio, with my own work, as my passion of event themeing & styling (mostly seen in luxury parties/wedding - the type that spends 30k on deco and hundreds on the candy buffet (they start from $600)). The girls I've spoken to, their friends/family often have these big parties where they can get all that experience, but over here it's just me on my own. Another portfolio idea would be to create these sets, in a dollhouse!
I don't have experience in that area (personal events), because I feel wrong about it in a way, to volunteer/intern for no cause but free labour for the company. For these event internships you'll be doing 4am starts helping the florists and doing set up, and maybe meet & greet with guests. From experience the prettier the event, the uglier it is inside. These events attach the model types, and people aren't kind. But perhaps that's just my industry and her friends, with the exception of sport and charity events.
Spoke to the careers guy who said keep looking, and HECs won't go well if I "down skill" and do a certificate/dip as I already have a bachelor. Also the school's not keen on me perusing further study, here or anywhere else. So I won't be consulting the school's career guy again (also you can only see him twice a year, budget cuts).
Should I be looking at getting more experience? Or perusing an alternative course? More marketing based? Maybe a marketing internship? Perhaps working at the bar part-time, and studying/interning? My agent (whose struggling to understand why I rarely make it past the online app stage) is suggesting a receptionist course at the local tafe?
What are your thoughts?
In terms of continuing with your study, if you choose to do a Diploma or Certificate course you will pay full fees. Your careers guy is right about that.
A receptionist/business admin course, for which you will have to pay full fees, will cost you about $5000 and will take approx 6 months full time. You might be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning depending on what you covered in your degree.
As I see it, you are saying that you want to be the creative director of the events that you handle. This says to me that you need to set up your own company. To do that you will need a sound business background. There is a Cert 4 in New Small Business Management - 4 months, again full fee paying this time about $6000 - which will give you a theoretical understanding of developing your small business. You might not need to do this depending on your own business acumen. If you are in Victoria this site might be of use to you http://www.business.vic.gov.au/setting-up-a-business/is-runn…
My belief though is that you need to take the opportunities that you are being offered so that your experience is relevant, recent and real world. As a 6 month graduate, your experience is now outdated. As you know, opportunities arise from the things that you do. I would say this is particularly true for the world of events management. You are not going to walk into your dream job immediately - very few people do. You know that it is about networks and contacts. Be seen as capable, adaptable, enthusiastic. Add value. let it be known that you want to and can make the event so much more than it has already been imagined. Get the runs on the board, do the hard yards, suck it up <insert whatever cliches are applicable> and THEN once you have some credibility, think about branching out. But for now, apply for an accept a suitable role even if it is not your ideal dream, and make it work for you.