What can you do with an events management degree?

Your studies will provide a broad range of skills that are valuable to employers:

Events management is an exciting, varied and fast-paced career path, and the degree will equip you with the skills needed to run events ranging from smaller corporate gatherings to larger festivals and weddings (to name a few). The course offers practical modules, which are the perfect opportunity to gauge which events interest you and could indicate the next steps you take when you graduate. Typical settings include hospitality (such as hotels and conference centres), sport, leisure and business, as well as charities and fundraising within the voluntary sector.

Less obvious settings can also include heritage (such as in museums and visitor centres) or in the corporate world as a marketing executive. Your attention to detail and ability to measure the needs of the client will lend itself to these career paths well. The course also gives you the option to learn a second language, which would open up further career avenues and client bases.

One thing to bear in mind with graduate options for events management is the competitive nature of the job, so gaining experience in varied events settings will stand you in good stead going forward.

With such a wide range of careers open to you as an events management graduate, you should explore and research your options thoroughly so that you can make informed decisions about your future.

As an example, the sports, leisure and events sector offers a broad range of opportunities for graduates, with many connected to specific services such as sports and fitness, running sports centres, event management, marketing and promotion, film and TV and even technical IT. Many sports are far more complex nowadays than they ever used to be and have a raft of organisations and associations behind them that may well offer up a range of opportunities for graduates.
There are very few graduate schemes available in this sector - ones that do exist tend to be limited to larger organisations. Therefore, experience can be crucial. You can gain this through part-time jobs or voluntary work, and you will need to consider how you can best add your own experience to your CV. Rather than applying for vacancies through a formal recruitment process, networking can also be a great way to find out about opportunities. So, think about building your network from an industry perspective.

The following websites provide helpful information and inspiration for career research:

Below is a snapshot of what some University of Plymouth events management graduates told us they were doing 15 months after graduation. For some graduates, these jobs serve as ‘stepping stones’ to professional posts by providing relevant workplace experience.

*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys covering the three years of 2019/20 – 2021/22. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.

Some of the careers chosen by events management graduates will require – or benefit from – further study, so this should be considered carefully. The University of Plymouth offers the following postgraduate study options that could be of interest:

You should consider the financial implications of further study as well as selecting a programme that suits your interests, learning style and future career direction. The following websites are a good starting point for exploring postgraduate options, but you may also benefit from talking to a Careers Consultant about your particular situation.

Some useful websites to help you find a suitable postgraduate programme:

It is also worth investigating what further study options the University has to offer as you may find the perfect course for yourself in an institution you already know. There are also sometimes financial benefits of staying on such as a fee discount to Alumni – find out your funding options .

Accessing support from the Careers Service couldn’t be easier; come along to the Careers Service Helpdesk in the Student Hub or access our 24/7 online resources .

A wide range of support is available from skills workshops to events, placements and internships advice, 1-2-1 appointments and help getting started with LinkedIn.

Our bite-sized Skills Workshops can give your career the boost it needs. Choose from a range of topics:

Workshops are delivered by the Careers Service; however, they are also an opportunity to learn from your peers, share experiences and ask questions. Visit myCareer to see the full range of activities and to book your place.

Build your network and job-sector knowledge using LinkedIn’s alumni tool. This will allow you to see the career journeys of graduates from your programme, the qualifications they completed, the skills they developed and the employers they worked for. You can then ‘connect’ with people of interest.

For more information about the alumni tool, select the LinkedIn alumni tool guide. If you are looking for help with setting up or learning how to make the most out of your LinkedIn profile, select the LinkedIn guide for students or come to one of our workshops .

Undertaking work experience in your first and second years will help you stand out from the crowd when the time comes for you to complete applications for graduate employment and further study. Work experience develops valuable skills and qualities that employers are looking for and is essential for many roles. It can also help you to confirm or rule out particular career choices. Furthermore, experience in the workplace can bring you into contact with people who may be able to assist you at the beginning of your career.

You have plenty of options open to you. You could apply for a placement year, work part-time around your studies, undertake volunteering or approach organisations directly to negotiate short periods of work experience. Some organisations offer paid internships over the summer or of one year’s duration.

The University of Plymouth Students’ Union also offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities

Engaging in a sport or society shows employers you are engaged and can seek out opportunities. It also helps you improve your teamwork, communication and negotiation skills. Committee members develop leadership, diplomacy and organisational skills and will gain experience of meetings, handling funds and society promotion.

You may choose to join a society that is specifically linked to events management or take the opportunity to explore the University’s wide range of clubs, societies and sports, all of which can help you to broaden your horizons and explore new interests.