Work after raising a large family.I am in an unusual position of looking for work for the first time after raising a large family. Although, I have been working for the last 16 years, in our own company as the office manager/computer tech/receptionist. I am completely self taught in all the above work. I did not take any business courses in school, and I did not graduate from a university. I am a seasoned traveler in over 40 countries. I have lived and worked overseas, and speak French as a second language. We started our company in our home, where we remain, and have been very successful. At this time, we have hired our son. I have managed to sufficiently phased my self out of our business. Now I feel it is my turn! I would like to find a job that is in my realm of interest. I believe that my qualifications have more to do with the pro bona work I have done in past, than in the work I have just left. I am interested in the field of event coordinator. I am wondering how difficult it will be to break into an industry where all my experience is all voluntary. I do have good references. Will that be enough? I must admit I am a little nervous, and may just need to hear someone say go for it! It doesn't matter if your experience is voluntary, court ordered or paid. Experience is experience. You want to go into Event Coordinating. That seems like a tough field to get into but I don't know enough about the industry to really be positive about that. In any case, based on what I know of the industry, you have the basic qualifications:
Contact some companies in and around your area and ask them what they look for in hiring for these jobs. You may have to create some scenarios surrounding an event (perhaps a fashion show) and show that you know what you are doing in setting this up, getting designers and clothing manufaturers, finding a place to hold the show, sending out the invitations, hiring models, etc). In the meantime, take some courses at night at your local community college to learn more about this industry and gain some knowledge of the language used getting a certificate, if you need one. Oh, another thing, attend some events that were set up by companies you wish to be involved with. This will give you a feel of what is needed. Also, you may be able to meet the event coordinators responsible whcih can lead you into the right networking arena. Now that you' ve shown the desire to go in another direction, you have already set the wheels in motion of a new adventure in your working life. I say just go for it, have some business cards printed up (online service I' ve tried AltaVista and very resonable) and go to the various people or companies you would like to work with. I picked up a cheap phone directory from the dollar store and use that strictly for business contacts. A rolla-dex works nicely too for keeping contacts at hand. Build your business from there. And bless the internet, there are all kinds of great information sites for free on everything under the sun. Good luck to you!
Good for you having dreams and going for them! The voluntary experience that you have, added to the experience that you have gone and got for yourself, may well be enough to get your foot on the ladder. If you have the courage to apply for a job, then, even if unsuccessful, asking for feedback about what you did right and what you might still need to work on from those you applied to, will be invaluable feedback that you can work on. My guess is that someone as resourceful as you will be snapped up fast. My son is an experienced event manager (in the UK) and I know that resourcefulness and flexibility is by far the most imprtant attribute. Ooops - one last thing. The event industry (esp. in the UK) runs on freelancers, so that might be anotherb option to build your experience in a real job in the industry. | |
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