Tammie Hawkins is an event planner based in the Los Angeles area. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a major in business management and a minor in hospitality management. There are many potential paths to becoming an event planner, but most companies want to see a four-year degree on your resume, specifically with a focus in hospitality, business, or marketing. Here are some of the best schools in the United States for aspiring event planners.
- Purdue University is one of the world’s best schools for hospitality studies. They offer degrees in hospitality and tourism that provide practical knowledge that can be applied to many different career paths. Located in Indiana, Purdue is also a nationally recognized school with a strong athletics program.
- The University of Central Florida is one of the only schools in the country that offers an event management major, perfect for aspiring event planners. This major focuses on how to promote and organize many different types of events. Students also take core hospitality courses as well as a variety of hospitality electives.
- Michigan State University offers a hospitality business degree that is very applicable to work in the event planning field. This competitive program requires a substantial amount of work experience through internships, which is incredible preparation for a career in event planning.
