How Event Management student, Jade, juggled studying and her career

When Event Management student, Jade, was offered the opportunity of a lifetime she was able to take her studies with her and use them to benefit her career. We recently caught up with Jade, 24, to find out more about her study journey and her big move to New York. Here’s what she had to say...

What’s your background in terms of education and career?

In terms of my education, I tried my hand at A-levels after secondary school however, I found after one year that I learned best by actual practice. With this in mind, I moved onto a BTEC in Print Based Media. I was studying multiple facets of media and marketing that would soon enable me to thrive in my current career.

I started working at the age of 14 in a restaurant kitchen, progressing to the floor as a waitress. Eventually, I worked my way up to working for a restaurant and events venue. In this role, I waitressed and occasionally helped navigate the events in real time, leading the on-site floor team to ensure that the event experience was as expected, and more.

After completing my BTEC course, I decided against university as I was keen to be in a working environment. Many unsuccessful interviews later, a restaurant customer kindly passed my CV onto an acquaintance who was running events in the corporate marketing space and was looking for an administrative and events assistant. The position offered a lot of prospects as it was a growing company in the tech sector. It seemed to be going in the right direction, and I bit as soon as they dangled their ‘travel opportunities’.

My career started out with me learning the ropes of the business. I took the role of logistics manager: someone who gets people to the events and looks after the sponsors. This quickly developed and I got involved in multiple areas of the business including commercial sales, hosting, and leading marketing and logistics strategies. Going forward, I would have an integral voice within the business, be travelling the world to run events, and experiencing a number of challenges and successes.

After 5 years in the business, I now help lead a team of seven people in the US, mentoring new event managers and travelling across North America and Canada organizing and hosting events. It is my intention to help the business grow and explore new avenues for the events that we run.

What made you want to study Event Management?

As I was progressing in my job as an event manager, I was keen to learn more about events across various industries and see what I could apply to my current role.

What was your motivation for studying?

I believe that there is always more to learn, regardless of your success or stature. I also believe in trying to understand different perspectives and pain points. An event planner who is organising non-profit events may have challenges different from an event planner who is organising festivals, but they could learn a great deal from each other.

Why did you choose distance learning over traditional study methods?

As I was in full time work, I didn't have the capacity to pursue traditional study methods. During my studies I had the opportunity to move to New York. Thankfully, I was lucky enough to be studying Open Study College, meaning I was able to continue with my course.

Why did you choose to study with Open Study College?

The content of the course was exactly what I was looking for and it was affordable.

What have you enjoyed most about your studies?

I enjoyed working with my tutor, Sian, very much. Sian was extremely helpful and communicative. She really helped me to understand and manage the course, especially when I was moving countries. I enjoyed having the freedom to study in my own time and applying what I’ve learnt to my career.

What do you plan to do with your course after completing your studies? 

I will continue to work as an event producer in my current role. I also have the prospect of running my own events business in the future, ideally in the eco-friendly climate sector.

Do you plan to study in the future? 

I am always open to learning and studying, especially if I can transfer those learnings across multiple industries.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Thank you to Open Study College for allowing me the chance to enrol and complete this course.

----------

Head over to our website to find out more about our Event Management course.
Event management not for you? We have more than 550 other courses to choose from!
New to distance learning? Find out more about how it works, and download a prospectus.

Interested in our courses?

Use the search box below to find your course.

Sharnie Carter

How Event Management student, Jade, juggled studying and her career