Do you want to work with events? Many people don’t realize it, but beyond specific courses, there are several college degrees that not only broaden your knowledge in the field but also allow you to work across different areas of event production.
The events industry is one of the biggest drivers of the economy, mainly because it touches so many different sectors.
According to data from the Brazilian Events Association (Abrafesta), the industry generates around R$250 billion in corporate events and R$17 billion in social events every year in Brazil.
Due to isolation measures and protections against COVID-19, this was one of the sectors hit hardest during the pandemic.
Fortunately, as vaccination progressed, the industry has since started growing again and regaining ground in the economy.
If you want to work in event organization and are looking for a course in the field to specialize, we’ve put together the main college degrees related to and recommended for this career. Check it out below!
What college degrees are there for people who want to work with events?
If you’d like to work with events, one of the degrees below might be the perfect fit for you! Take a look:
Public Relations
A degree in Public Relations is first on the list of courses for people who want to work with events.
This is the main communications-focused degree aimed at promoting a company’s image institutionally, or that of a well-known individual, for example.
Naturally, this involves organizing a variety of events in different formats.
So a PR professional is often responsible for organizing events with clients, partners, and the general public, taking care of every detail to promote a company, brand, or person. It’s a bachelor’s degree that typically takes about four years to complete.
Cultural Production
If you enjoy topics related to art and culture and also want to work with a variety of events, a degree in Cultural Production could be a great option.
This degree trains professionals to handle every step of organizing an event, especially planning and execution.
Other topics, like sports and science communication, may come up during the course, but the degree is mainly focused on the cultural field.
This means concerts, musicals, dance and theater performances, exhibitions, and congresses are the main types of events studied in class, and the course typically takes about three years to complete.
Events
Naturally, a degree in Events also makes the list. After all, this is the most specific course of all for anyone who wants to work in this field.
The degree prepares professionals to work across every stage of planning and organizing all kinds of events: cultural, corporate, artistic, sports, culinary, tourism-related, and more.
These professionals work as coordinators, responsible for the entire logistics of an event, from securing funding to managing the ceremonial details.
It’s worth noting that, since it’s usually offered as an associate-level (“tecnólogo”) program, an Events degree typically takes less time, around two years on average. That can be an advantage for people looking for faster training, or who already work in the field but want to specialize and have less time available.
Stage Production
A degree in Stage Production is aimed specifically at people who want to work producing events related to the performing arts.
These professionals focus on planning, executing, and coordinating stage performances, usually related to theater, musicals, opera, circus, dance, and audiovisual events.
This is actually an essential profession for events in this space to happen at all, since every stage of a performance relies on a stage producer’s work, from the initial logistics and pre-production through to the event’s final execution.
Stage Production is also more commonly offered as an associate-level program by institutions, so it typically has a shorter duration than a traditional bachelor’s degree, around four semesters (or two years).
Journalism
A Journalism degree is usually a bachelor’s program taking about four years, but this is also a course that lets professionals work with events: journalists can work in production and coverage of events of any kind and on any topic.
In a Journalism program, students take a range of courses that also prepare them to work in event production, such as organizational communication, press relations, and even public relations.
Journalists are often the professionals called on to cover the world’s most important events, like the World Cup, the Olympics, elections, royal weddings, major music festivals, and many other important occasions.
Photography
Producing and capturing images and video is practically essential work at every type of event.
So a photography course can be a great option for anyone who wants to work in this field.
Beyond the technical skills every photographer needs to work with cameras, a Photography program will also develop students’ ability to organize events and photo exhibitions.
Photography is most commonly offered as an associate-level program and takes about two years to complete.
One market that has become very popular and is heating up this field’s economy is family ceremonies, such as birthday parties and weddings.
Beyond that, another way to work in event photography is through journalistic coverage, which is also one of the roles photojournalists play.
Advertising
Professionals who graduate with a degree in Advertising also have plenty of room to work at companies focused on events and marketing.
Advertising professionals can work at companies that organize institutional events to launch products and services, or to interact with guests and partners at the event itself.
This also includes digital events, held online.
An Advertising degree is usually a bachelor’s program and takes about four years on average.
It’s worth noting that, for anyone planning to work with events, it’s essential that the chosen program’s curriculum include courses covering this type of organization, along with subjects on public relations and internal communication.
Tourism
Many people don’t realize it, but a college degree that plays a very important role in event production is Tourism.
Professionals in this field can work directly with a variety of events, whether ones that boost a specific location’s economy or well-known international events, for example.
On top of that, many companies specializing in logistics and event production need these professionals to carry out their work.
A Tourism degree can be offered as either a bachelor’s or an associate-level program. The bachelor’s takes longer, up to four years, while the associate-level program is shorter, at about two years.
During their studies, students learn about tourism management and develop the knowledge needed to work in event planning and organization.
Hospitality
Anyone who studies Hospitality can also work in planning, organizing, and producing events. Nowadays many events are held in hotels, especially those that cater to a business audience.
So professionals in this field can have a range of responsibilities in the day-to-day running of events, especially resource management, to make sure there’s never a shortage of food, drinks, or facilities for guests.
A Hospitality student takes about two years to graduate from this course, most often offered as an associate-level program.
Hospitality programs also include courses related to this field, such as organizational communication, event and entertainment management, and tourism analysis and planning, among others.
Culinary Arts
Culinary Arts is another college degree that provides the knowledge needed to work in the events field.
That’s because culinary arts students are trained to work in kitchen services and also in organizing and producing events, whether food-related or not.
Events of any size require a lot of organization to make sure guests are well received and leave satisfied with everything.
So a Culinary Arts professional can handle menu planning and coordinate the team responsible for the kitchen and service. The program is offered as an associate-level degree and typically takes about two years to complete at most institutions.
Institutional Communication
Institutional Communication falls under the Management and Business field, one of the most popular for people seeking an associate-level degree.
This program has a similar scope to Public Relations, but is more focused on organizations’ internal communication.
Among the main responsibilities of a communications coordinator, a role held by graduates of this program, is promoting and organizing corporate events for company employees.
So they coordinate talks, workshops, training sessions, and even celebrations. The program takes about two years on average and is offered as an associate-level degree, as mentioned.
Administrative Assistance
Last on the list, but no less important, is the Administrative Assistance program, also offered as an associate-level degree in the Management and Business field.
Taking about two years on average, this program focuses on training professionals to provide administrative support within companies and public institutions.
The program also prepares professionals to work organizing institutional events of any type and size.
That’s why these professionals find opportunities at many different companies, working across the various stages of event production, from welcoming guests to handling more structural aspects of the organization.
Where can you study to work with events?
Liked any of these courses and thinking about working with events? A scholarship platform can help you get started in higher education quickly, often offering discounts of up to 80% at partner institutions across the country.
On these platforms, you can find universities nationwide offering all kinds of courses, including those focused on events.
Plus, to qualify for a scholarship, you typically don’t need to have taken a national college entrance exam or meet income requirements — just check the platform to see all the available courses and scholarship options.
