What do the NFL’s Superbowl, a corporation’s annual stockholder meeting and a hospital’s yearly fundraising dinner have in common? Chances are, each event was formulated and implemented by a meeting and event planner.
Such planning takes a variety of skills including the ability to juggle multiple tasks, managing budgets, working with an assortment of vendors and donors, and a penchant for organization and timeliness.
While some people are naturally talented at hosting social events, meeting and event planning on a large scale often requires more formal education.
That’s why RWC is now offering an associate’s degree program, complete with internships, in this field. The program, which is part of the college’s Office Information Technology Department, prepares students to plan, organize and manage all aspects of corporate and organizational meetings and events.
The required courses provide students with skills in computer applications, management, and communications, while the optional paid-internship component gives students on-the-job training directly related to the coursework. Students selecting the internship work in an events planning-related position put in 20 hours a week for one year.
Students who complete the two-year academic program, which totals about 50 credit-hours, are qualified to work in corporations, hospitals, hotels, non-profit organizations, governmental agencies and various industries. Students learn about trends shaping the industry, how to develop planning timelines, implementation checklists, and event proposals. In addition, students learn how to compare and select event locations and obtain hands-on development of budgets.
Another new class, Virtual Assistant, has also been introduced this fall by the college. The class emphasizes understanding the virtual assistant concept, business planning, establishing a web presence, specialty services, operating a business and other related topics.
The goal of the class, which is offered on-line, is for the student to learn how to create a workable virtual assistant business. Virtual assistants are contracted, home-based professionals who provide administrative support and other specialized services.
For more information about either new offering, contact Maureen Margolies at (513) 745-5694 or at Maureen.margolies@uc.edu. Or, visit www.rwc.uc.edu/faculty_staff/academic_departs/office.htm and click on the program details.