Skift Take
Editor's note
Event management is a fantastic career for both men and women. It is fun, fast-paced and provides excellent opportunities for career growth. While the majority of event managers are female, according to a recent PCMA study the average salary for women in the meetings industry is about 24% lower than what men earn. So, how do women find ways to stand out and boost their careers in this competitive and ever evolving industry?
-> We had several complaints about the first section of this article. This article has been written by a woman and it is directed at women. While we want to preserve expression of freedom, we want to make sure our advice is always educational and does not upset our readers. Therefore we’ve taken the decision to eliminate the first part of the article. Please accept our apologies if any of the content has been portrayed in the wrong way.
Never Stop Learning
Getting ahead in your career comes through learning and developing along the way. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn and try to turn the challenging experiences into learning experiences. Seeing the positive in every tough situation will take you very far in your career.
Another great way to learn is by exploring your local community colleges or small business associations. Many of these may offer free or discounted workshops on business topics that can be beneficial for event managers.
Online resources are a really fantastic way to learn for free! Event Manager Blog is obviously a great resource for our industry, so try exploring the archives and free reports for additional knowledge.
Many other websites host online videos, webinars, provide ebooks and an unlimited amount of articles that can teach you more about business management, events and customer service. Seek out every opportunity and work to constantly expand your knowledge in order to get ahead in your career.
Ask for More
Often times more responsibility and more money can be very easily be obtained by simply asking for it. According to an internal research by Hewlett-Packard women only apply for jobs for which they feel they are a 100% match; men do so even when they meet no more than 60% of the requirements. I know this may not be the case for every woman, but never the less, this statistic speaks volumes.
Women everywhere should have more confidence in their abilities and reach for the opportunities that may seem unattainable. Negotiating and stepping outside of your comfort zone can sometimes be a challenge, but if you negotiate for your clients and events, there is no reason you should be afraid to do so for yourself and your career.
Start a Business
So you want to be the boss, CEO, lady in charge, etc? The best way to shoot to the top is by taking matters into your own hands and take on the challenge of starting your own business. While I haven’t done this (yet) myself, I know many women in the industry who have seen amazing success.
If you aren’t sure that you are ready for the leap, take the time to interview other local business owners or take a local entrepreneurship course to learn about all of the responsibilities owning a business encompasses.
I come from a family filled with entrepreneurs and I know that owning your own business is not easy, but it can be incredibly rewarding! It will teach you so much about yourself and your industry.
Show Authority
Everyone enjoys working for a leader who has confidence and personifies authority. Even if you aren’t the top dog in your current job, do the best you can to show that you can handle the tasks you are assigned. Be decisive in your work, take responsibility when things go wrong and show ownership when events are successful.
Sooner or later the people at the top will take notice of your abilities and perhaps give you a chance to inch up the ladder to job with more responsibility and perhaps higher pay!
In Conclusion
These are just a few ways you can stand out in your career. Everyone has different goals and definitions of success. What is truly important is having the knowledge and confidence to forge your own path towards the goals you have defined. There may be setbacks and challenges along the way, but with your passion for the industry and your ability to overcome the roadblocks you will be on your way to the top in no time!
