Meeting Planner & Event Manager

Kali A. "As an in-house meeting planner for a trade association, I am responsible for the three member meetings held annually in April, August, and December at various locations across the US. I manage all aspects of the meetings from pre-planning to on-site execution including: development of event budget, RFP creation and disbursement, site visit, venue selection, contract negotiation, marketing strategy and implementation, registration, shipping, food and beverage needs, audio/visual needs, auxiliary events, staffing coordination, and on-site logistics."

Education

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Required License(s) None required, but I have my CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) and it certainly helped me get the job I have now.

Required Degree(s) Usually requires a college degree

Importance of GPA somewhat important

What do you need to do to maintain your license(s)?

You need to earn a certain amount of CEU (Continuing Education Credits) every 5 years to renew the CMP.

Kali's Highest Degree: Bachelor's degree
Kali's College Major: Business Administration - Marketing
Kali's College GPA Range: 3.6 - 3.9

Salary

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The most recent salary survey said the average was around $75,000.

It varies greatly depending on location, amount of experience, management level, etc.

Getting the Job

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How did you get your job?

I interned for the American Volleyball Coaches Association in college where I was assigned to the events. I fell in love with planning, so I decided that's what I wanted to do. The AVCA hired me full time after college. After 3 years there, I got my current job with AI. Employers are very focused on experience in this field. Skip the extra degree and do an internship where you get real event experience.

How important was networking to landing your position?

Somewhat important. Lexington is a smaller city so people are bound to have someone in common.

Life on the Job

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What is a typical day (or week) for you like?

If I'm in the office, it's working at my desk answering emails, planning out event details, or on the phone with hotels or vendors. If it's an event week, we are on-site running everything. It's long hours but so much fun. If it's a site visit, I'm in a city alone touring hotels, restaurants, etc. Those are the most exciting since the local representatives show you the best the location has to offer!

How closely does your typical day (or week) match up to the general "job description" for your position?

Very close

Does being a woman affect any aspect of your career?

In my current position and at my specific company, no.

What is the best thing about your job?

Traveling around the country and touring locations I would not be able to visit personally. Also, getting to execute experiences for other people and seeing their reactions—it's very rewarding to see it all come together.

What is the worst thing about your job?

A lot of planners complain about long hours. My current position is very fair about hours. Actual event days are long, but those are only 3 weeks a year. This job does tend to put you in high-stress environments and forces you to make quick decisions on your feet.

How demanding is your job?

My specific job is good with managing time. They know we work hard when we have to, so they are flexible at other times (not all companies are like that). If time is a big issue for you (maybe you have a family), I would suggest trying to find a small company that really cares about their employees and values what's important. Again, there is some stress with this job, mostly on-site. But if you have a good team around you and can be decisive in stressful moments, it's not bad.

Do you have any advancement opportunities?

It depends on the company, I would say. I'm a single planner here, but some companies have teams of planners. In that case, you could move up to manage a team. Otherwise, you may have to move companies to achieve a higher title or better pay.

Advice for You

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What are the skills, characteristics, or talents that are most important to be effective in your position?

Thinking on your feet Excellent customer service Being able to hide your emotions/stresses to look put together in front of attendees—it can be a mess behind the scenes but the attendees need to think everything is running smoothly. Aggressiveness in negotiating Attention to detail Organization Excellent communication skills

What advice would you give to someone thinking about pursuing a career like yours?

If you want to do something that is unique and challenging, this is a great field. The benefits and perks FAR outweigh the stresses.

If you could do it over again, would you still pursue the same career?

Yes

Follow Up

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Want to learn more? Check out Kali's site here. Want to read later? Pin me -->

Transfer Evaluation Coordinator (Student Affairs Professional)

Kayla W. "As a student affairs professional, I help students be successful and to ultimately obtain a degree. My goal is to help students at my university to have a well-rounded college experience and to leave the university with a degree and the knowledge and experiences they need to be successful human beings. More specifically, as a Transfer Evaluation Coordinator, I work with students who have earned college coursework and credit to determine which course credit equivalents that they will receive credit for at my specific university."

Education

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Required License(s) None

Required Degree(s) Bachelor's degree (in any field) is required for my specific position, but other positions in Student Affairs may only require a high school diploma.

Importance of GPA somewhat important

Kayla's Highest Degree: Bachelor's degree (Bachelor of Science)
Kayla's College Major: Mass Communications with a focus on Public Relations, and a minor in Marketing.
Kayla's College GPA Range: 3.1-3.5

Salary

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$30,000-$50,000
can vary depending on location or institution

Getting the Job

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How did you get your job?

As a student, I worked as an orientation leader (orienting incoming freshman to campus and the world of college, etc.), as well as an ambassador for the Admissions department. I gained experience by volunteering as an undergraduate.

How important was networking to landing your position?

Networking is huge in the world of higher education. I didn't specifically know anyone in the department I now work in, but I went to the institution as an undergraduate student and I think that helped.

Life on the Job

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What is a typical day (or week) for you like?

Typically, I work Monday through Friday 8-5, but have to work about 3 Saturdays and 3 Sundays each year for special events (e.g., graduations, preview days, orientations). In my specific position, I sit at a desk most of the day doing evaluation of transcripts/data entry, answering emails. I see students from time-to-time. Working in this position is very behind the scenes in the world of higher ed.

How closely does your typical day (or week) match up to the general "job description" for your position?

I would say that my position matches up about 99% with the job description that was posted when I was hired.

Does being a woman affect any aspect of your career?

Honestly, there are more women in the field of Student Affairs than there are men. If anything, I believe it may help to be a woman in Student Affairs. However, diversity is a huge part of the higher education world and people of all ethnicities, races, genders, etc. are accepted!

What is the best thing about your job?

I get to help students to find, understand, and develop their dreams. Working in higher education is rewarding and something I am incredibly passionate about.

What is the worst thing about your job?

There are a ton of policies that sometimes upset the student and their families. These policies are not meant to hinder, but it sometimes feels like they do.

How demanding is your job?

The institution that I work at is growing very rapidly, which means that more and more students are attending, but we still have the same amount of people in our office. It can be a large workload that seems to never end, and it can also be very tedious work. However, thinking about how much it helps the student to become who they want and need to be makes it all worth it.

Do you have any advancement opportunities?

YES! I work in the Registrar's Office, but this position can be housed in Admissions at other institutions. I could move up from my position to my supervisor's position, which is the head of the Transfer area. Above the Transfer area manager is the Registrar. Also, working in Student Affairs, it is often that people may move from area to area on a campus, this includes stepping up into higher roles, such as Area Directors or VP or AVPs of divisions. I plan on staying in the field of Student Affairs for the rest of my life, and would love to become an Area Director at some point.

Advice for You

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What are the skills, characteristics, or talents that are most important to be effective in your position?

It is very important to have a passion for the student. Fun, bubbly personalities and being a people person is important. Anyone looking to work in higher education should be able to follow policies and procedures, be a hard-worker, optimistic, and have a great eye for detail and accuracy.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about pursuing a career like yours?

BE YOURSELF! As mentioned before, diversity is something that every institution is looking for. Don't try to fit into some kind of peg.

If you could do it over again, would you still pursue the same career?

ABSOLUTELY! I'm actually going back to school to earn my Master's in the field.

Follow Up

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Want to learn more? Check out Kayla's sites here. Want to read later? Pin me -->

Marketing and Advertising Coordinator

Sarah W. "I am a Marketing and Advertising Coordinator for an Outboard Motor Company. I always prefer to be a smaller company's one stop shop for anything marketing, rather than a person on a gigantic team in a large company. Every day is completely different for me. Somedays I'll be crunching numbers, some I'll be focusing on building social media, and some I'll be working on graphic design. If it relates to marketing, I've got to learn how to do it for my company."

Education

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Required License(s) none

Required Degree(s) I don't think I would have gotten an interview if I didn't have a 4 year degree.

Importance of GPA somewhat important

Sarah's Highest Degree: bachelor's degree (Bachelor of Science)
Sarah's College Major: Public Relations with a minor in Business
Sarahs College GPA Range: 3.6-3.9

Salary

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$75,000+
Sky is the limit, I suppose!

Getting the Job

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How did you get your job?

I was the Marketing Director for a chain of salons located across three states. Although that was quite different than marketing for outboard motors, I think I impressed them in my interview when I was able to tell them how similar the two positions ACTUALLY were.

How important was networking to landing your position?

TO ME, it is not important, but I'm not proud of that statement. I'd like to be more active in networking. It would take me places I can't go now.

Life on the Job

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What is a typical day (or week) for you like?

As many pros as there are to working for a small company, there are some drawbacks as well. Cubicle life is my Monday-Friday 8am-5pm life generally. The best weeks are ones when I get to travel to a boat show or photo shoot, which happens every few months. I often go into work not sure what will be thrown my way, which I honestly really like. It keeps me from getting bored!

How closely does your typical day (or week) match up to the general "job description" for your position?

I think it is very close for someone who is the entire marketing position for a small company. I'm sure someone in a larger company would have a much more specific role from day-to-day. I'm thankful for the way my day/week is laid out.

Does being a woman affect any aspect of your career?

YES. I hate to say it but it does. I work for a Japanese company and things are a bit different over there, and I'm sometimes left out of discussions that I should be part of. The good news is that no one in the office from America treats me any differently, which is great.

What is the best thing about your job?

The travel!

What is the worst thing about your job?

Feeling like I'm chained to a cubicle from Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. I'd love a bit more freedom.

How demanding is your job?

Not terribly. It is mostly creative, which I love, so it really doesn't wear me down.

Do you have any advancement opportunities?

In my current position with this company, THERE IS NOT, which sucks. I am honestly content right now. I enjoy that I can leave work at work during the nights and weekends, the pay is good, and I am happy with where I am in my career, at my current age. I imagine I will be looking for an advancement in the next 5 years or so. My dream job would be something more related to the sports world, and breaking into that world might involve working my way up from the bottom. I'm not sure I'm ready for that.

Advice for You

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What are the skills, characteristics, or talents that are most important to be effective in your position?

You have to be unique. Like any creative position, being a follower just won't cut it. You have to have a wild imagination and be able to come up with ideas/designs that the world has never seen before. You can't look anything like your competition.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about pursuing a career like yours?

If I could do one thing over again, I would have taken so many more Adobe CS classes in college. I never took any and I so regret it. I had to teach everything to myself.

If you could do it over again, would you still pursue the same career?

I'd probably pursue a career in sports journalism... if I had it to do all over again.

Follow Up

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Want to learn more? Check out Sarah's site here. Want to read later? Pin me -->

Digital Marketing Consultant

Tami B. "I help small businesses and startups market themselves online. Their goal is to reach customers and sell something, like a new product, a service, an app, etc., but they don't really know where to begin. I help them set up and manage their online presence, which might include their website, an e-commerce store, social media platforms, email campaigns, and more."

Education

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Required License(s) None

Required Degree(s) Bachelor's degree

Importance of GPA not very important

Tami's Highest Degree: Bachelor's degree (Bachelor of the Arts)
Tami's College Major: Telecommunication
Tami's College GPA Range: 3.6-3.9

Salary

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Depends on Experience

$25,000 - $30,000 for entry-level

$100,000+ for senior-level

Getting the Job

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How did you get your job?

I began my career right out of college as a TV news reporter (that's what I went to school for). I spent five years in TV before making the transition into public relations, which allowed for a much less stressful work schedule. Public relations is a common transition for people coming from journalism jobs. I got a job at a PR/advertising agency, and while working there realized I wanted to hone in on digital services (aka online). I started taking freelance clients on the side, and when I felt comfortable with my freelance income I left my full-time job to work for myself as a consultant.

How important was networking to landing your position?

It wasn't necessarily very useful for landing my position, but it's very useful in getting new clients. Nearly all of my clients have been referred to me by a mutual friend or colleague, so it helps to know people in a wide variety of fields.

Life on the Job

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What is a typical day (or week) for you like?

Since I work for myself, my schedule is very flexible. I prefer to keep normal(ish) working hours, but work naturally creeps in on nights and weekends. A typical day might consist of creating and scheduling social media posts for clients, writing and posting blog posts, coordinating promotions or sales, writing and scheduling marketing emails, meeting with clients to plan our strategy, and doing my own admin "stuff" like accounting and billing. Sometimes I spend the day outside the office doing fun stuff like a photo shoot or media interview. Occasionally I travel for work to attend events or meet in person with an out-of-state client.

How closely does your typical day (or week) match up to the general "job description" for your position?

I'd say it's a pretty standard digital marketing job, though people in this field tend to specialize on one thing or another. For example, I have a heavy workload of social media clients, while another digital marketing professional might do more search engine optimization or website development

Does being a woman affect any aspect of your career?

On a day-to-day basis, it doesn't, but there have been times when I've needed to assert myself or "prove" myself simply because I was the only woman in a group of men. Thankfully these times have been few and far between.

What is the best thing about your job?

Being my own boss and knowing that my successes are the direct result of my own hard work.

What is the worst thing about your job?

Dealing with the ever-changing demands of clients.

How demanding is your job?

Working for yourself is incredibly demanding in terms of time. For the first year I worked many, many nights and weekends. That gets better with time, though. There are periods where it's very mentally challenging. When things aren't going so well, you don't have anyone but yourself to blame or turn to for support. But, I'd say there are far more high points than there are lows.

Do you have any advancement opportunities?

Working for yourself is interesting because it's up to you to create the "next step" in your career. For me, that might mean hiring full-time employees and growing into a full-fledged agency. Or, someone in my position might opt to go back into the corporate world as a marketing director for a major company. I've spent so much time helping other startups launch THEIR product lines that that's a very interesting option for me. I could see potentially creating and launching my own product or service OUTSIDE of marketing, and building an entirely different company.

Advice for You

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What are the skills, characteristics, or talents that are most important to be effective in your position?

Working well with many different personalities, being able to manage various projects that each have their own deadline, being motivated enough to work even when you don't have a "boss" to answer to.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about pursuing a career like yours?

Regarding working for yourself, absolutely go for it. If you have an inkling that you want to be self-employed, you most likely won't be fully satisfied in any job until you are. Regarding marketing, be a sponge and learn everything you can, even if it means you won't make that much money right away. My time in TV and at a PR agency were both critical in putting me in the position to be able to eventually take on my own clients.

If you could do it over again, would you still pursue the same career?

Probably, yes.

Follow Up

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Want to learn more? Check out Tami's site here. Want to read later? Pin me -->