Education · 1 of 5

The path

Nobody licenses this. You get in on experience, and the degree helps you get the first job.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Run something: a fundraiser, a prom committee, a tournament, a school show. That is a portfolio, and it is what interviewers ask about.

2. 2

   Hospitality or event program

   2 to 4 years

   A two-year certificate or associate degree, or a four-year hospitality degree. Austin Community College in Texas runs a hospitality and meeting and event planning program; the University of Nevada, Las Vegas runs a four-year hospitality degree with an event design concentration.

3. 3

   Work events while you study

   During school

   Catering, banquets, venue staff, festival crew. Bad shifts, but it teaches you how a room actually gets turned over in 20 minutes.

4. 4

   Coordinator job

   2 to 4 years

   Your first title will be coordinator or assistant. You will chase contracts, count chairs and build spreadsheets.

5. 5

   Certification

   After 3 or more years

   Once you have the experience, the Certified Meeting Professional credential is what employers look for on a promotion.