Are event planning jobs overrated?

"Overrated jobs are defined as those that seem attractive from the outside but that sound better than they really are. The may have a poor outlook for jobs, too many candidates entering the field, poor working conditions or high barriers to entry." -ABCnews

Articles, lists and other types of "definitions" of event planners ((like this one)) are what make my blood boil! Along with the old-fashioned lady who claims to be an event planner because she knows how to decorate for her kid's 5th birthday party. While keeping in mind this old-fashioned lady is actually the one who pioneered my beloved profession of event planning.. We're beyond that!

As many of you know from my intro to blogging article, I am obsessed with my alma mater... One of the main reasons is because of the opportunity I had to create my own major. As many other event planners with a Type A personality, I wanted my degree to be on my terms. I knew what I wanted to do with my life and I felt like there was no opportunity for me to get there. So... I had to create that opportunity. Luckily, I went to a school with an Individual Plan of Study curriculum where I could literally create my own major. With the help of an Associate Dean, Professor and many other faculty members I was well on my way to a degree in Communication in Event Management & Public Relations. Many of you are probably thinking.. "Okay crazy pants... What the hell does that even mean???" For me.. it meant the future of event planning...

I knew I wasn't going to make a living by picking out menus, looking at floral arrangements or hosting fabulous parties... ((Which is exactly what people think event planning is.. and why I think it in on the list of overrated jobs.)) I wanted people to see me as a professional event planner within the academia field. I wanted to be well respected and have an education to back me up. In my eyes, I wanted to be apart of the modern world of event planning and take my beloved profession to the next level.

But what does this next level look like? I can tell you right now.. it's not ordering flowers or booking a caterer ((like most would think)). Anyone with a little organizational sense can do this... And.. sadly, there are MANY employed people who call themselves "event planners" and this is all they do. Congratulations to you guys! You're organized... along with millions of other people! Being an event planner is about taking an idea or goal and using an event to help bring that idea to life or achieve that goal. It's the broad picture, the reason anyone does any type of job.. There is something someone, somewhere, wants to achieve. And I make it my job to listen to these conversations, hear what the playmakers want to see happen, then take those ideas and goals and create an event that, in their eyes, is successful.

But then that leads to the next aspect of modern event planning... What does event success look like? This question can be just as hard to answer as the first because it is different for every event. In turn, it is the event planner's job to figure out how to measure the success of the event... both qualitatively and quantitatively. Then take these reports, metrics and outcomes back to the playmakers to show them that their ideas were brought to life and their goals were met.

Oh.. and in between those two bookends is where the "overrated" event planning stuff happens.. like finding a venue, booking a caterer, making invitations and keeping track of every tiny little detail that happens at an event. And, if this is all that job seekers think event planning is.. then, I agree, it is an overrated profession with little pride or ownership. And, it will continue to be this way until every event planner can jump on board and become a modern-day, money-making, idea-festering, goal-oriented event planner. Once someone makes that leap.. the job is no longer overrated... It's empowering.