5 Great Reasons to Consider an Events Role as you Start Your Career

It’s graduation season, and that always makes me think of all the new college grads now launching their job searches. If you're starting your career, a role in trade shows and events may not be your long-term goal (or maybe it is!), but it can absolutely be a great starting point—especially if you're aiming for a future in marketing.

Because the events industry is so multifaceted, there's a place for nearly everyone—whether your major was business administration, graphic design, computer science, or something entirely different.

Over the years, I’ve hired many entry-level event coordinators and trade show specialists who’ve gone on to build thriving careers. Here are five reasons why an entry-level role in trade shows and events can be the launchpad you're looking for:

1. There Are Lots of Opportunities, Making Entry a Little Easier

There are many doorways into the events world. Most companies, nonprofits, and government agencies have internal teams that manage both private and public-facing events—and that’s often where careers begin. But don’t forget about the venues themselves—hotels, conference centers, arenas, restaurants—and the huge range of vendors that support the industry: AV companies, caterers, entertainment agencies, logistics firms, even drone show designers!

What are you passionate about—videography? robotics? sports? There's likely a connection between your interest and the events world. Whether you're a social media whiz, a data nerd, or someone who just loves to solve problems on the fly, there's a role for you. And since spring and fall are peak seasons, now is a great time to find open roles as organizations gear up for the rush.

2. You’ll Build Discipline, Resilience, and Problem-Solving Skills That Last a Lifetime

Here’s what makes events different from most other jobs: everything is tied to a specific date—and that date is coming whether you’re ready or not. Whether or not your keynote speaker cancels or your giveaways arrive late, the show will (almost always) go on.

You’ll learn how to build a bulletproof Plan A… and a backup Plan B… and an emergency Plan C. You’ll learn to think on your feet and stay calm under pressure (because problems will happen). You’ll learn why being a little Type B might just save your sanity.

You’ll live by timelines and deadlines. You’ll document everything. You’ll be the first one in, the last one out. You’ll do the dirty work—and then feel immense pride when it all comes together.

3. You’ll Wear Many, Many Hats

Most marketers are sharp professionals with a strong grasp of their domain. But few marketing roles require the breadth of knowledge that event marketers need. It's not just party planning—it’s project management, creative development, logistics, analytics, and crisis control all rolled into one.

You’ll gain exposure to nearly every team in your company—from Sales to Product Development, Content to Finance. And you'll rack up a resume full of unexpected skills:

• You’ll learn to negotiate contracts to protect your organization and audience, and you'll even know when force majeure can be invoked.

• You’ll know what the terms I&D and drayage mean (and how expensive they can be).

• You’ll write everything from email campaigns to executive scripts.

• You’ll manage multimillion-dollar budgets and track ROI to the penny.

• You'll understand the difference between digital and offset printing.

• You'll learn AV terms, like gobo, rigging point and throw distance.

• You'll develop crisis management plans that can save lives in an emergency (and probably learn CPR and how to use a defibrillator).

• You’ll learn how many cups of coffee there are per urn and to always calculate the "++".

• And yes, you’ll plan some pretty unforgettable parties.

  
  

4. You’ll Learn What Real Ownership and Accountability Feel Like

There’s nothing like the feeling of pulling off a major event. If everything comes together and the stars align, there will be kudos—and you’ll get about five minutes to celebrate before the next project takes over your life.

Events teach you what it means to own something, fully. You don’t control every detail, but you are responsible for the outcome. You are the symphony conductor, the air traffic controller. That means getting buy-in, aligning teams, solving problems before they surface, and making tough calls under pressure. Sometimes you’ll hit it out of the park. Occasionally you'll miss the mark. Either way, you’ll learn—and those lessons will make you better at everything you do next.

5. Visibility—The Scary Kind That’s Also a Huge Opportunity

At first, working in events can feel…exposed. Your work is public-facing, sometimes even going viral (for better or worse). Everyone sees if your booth is busy or a ghost town, if your event creates buzz or bombs. Executives are watching. Attendees are posting. Pressure is high.

But visibility is also opportunity. Few entry-level roles offer the same chance to get your work seen by senior leadership, build relationships across departments, and stand out early in your career. You’ll interact with top leaders, learn from them, and maybe even recruit a few as mentors.

And your success doesn’t have to stay internal—industry awards and recognition are out there if you go after them. Build your network, boost your resume, and let your work speak for itself.

Wrapping It Up

If you’re looking to break into the workforce, give some serious thought to the many paths available in the events industry. Whether you work for a business, nonprofit, venue, or vendor, you’ll gain practical skills, build confidence, and develop the kind of mental toughness that carries over into every area of life.

Personally, I find that what I’ve learned through events helps me nearly every day, both professionally and personally. And I’d love to hear your stories, too—how have your on-the-job lessons shown up in your day-to-day life? Share your stories here!