Admittedly, Events Management was not always the pathway I envisioned. Throughout my childhood, I explored many different art forms and always imagined pursuing one as a career. However, over time, I realised it would be impossible to choose one discipline to dedicate my studies to because I crave variety. Furthermore, I was cautious that I did not want the stress of studying an art form to impact my ability to engage with it intrinsically.
At that point of realisation, I started to explore degrees that could still satisfy my creative needs but also enable me to develop transferable skills to keep my career options open; I was still unsure of what I wanted to do with my life. That is when I discovered the BA (Hons) Events Management course at AUB, a perfect melange of the two.
Learning to be a proficient events manager takes a lot of passion and dedication because it involves developing and utilising a range of skills to consider every individual component of organising an event – but it is worth it! Everyone has a specific niche, whether they are more creative or logistical, but BA (Hons) Events Management teaches you to develop both.
I have always been more creative – constantly imagining, designing and making – and often struggle to tear myself away from intricate details to see the bigger picture. However, this course has encouraged me to develop invaluable skills and grow confident in implementing them so that I can now assess the feasibility of my ideas. The most beneficial thing about these acquired skills is that they are also essential life skills.
When I started the course, while I enjoyed it, I still believed that I would graduate with no indication of what I wanted to pursue in the future. However, my view changed during the last term of my second year when I did my work placement. For 12 weeks, I worked at a Dorset-based non-profit arts organisation where I discovered the joy and fulfilment of supporting artists’ ambitions and infusing people’s lives with art through exhibitions, arts festivals, etc.
It made me realise how much we take for granted regarding opportunities to access art and the diligent work it takes to make art accessible to people. In addition, to see a group of people making a positive difference in their community while doing something they love was inspiring.
I was so motivated during my work placement that I began research for my dissertation, focusing on the creative industries and the essentiality of art to the human condition. Through my research, I developed a stronger passion and ambition for the arts than ever before; that is when I ascertained that I would like to work in the arts industry after university.
When I am not organising events, I love to get stuck into all sorts of creative projects like crocheting, sewing, up-cycling furniture, painting, and digital art. I also love music, whether it compels me to dance and energise myself or brings me a moment of peace; listening to film scores on walks and playing the piano are my favourite things to do when I need rejuvenation. My deep appreciation of art and hands-on background in various art forms highly influence my current studies because they fuel my ambition to create experiences for arts and culture to thrive.
Thanks to my experience at AUB, I now have a clearer vision of what I want to pursue next. I have combined the skills acquired through the Events Management course with my fondness for art to obtain a job within a local arts organisation. Before starting university, I worried that I was not ambitious enough because I did not have a striking passion I wanted to pursue. However, I have found my sense of purpose by exploring the significance of the arts in our lives and gaining direct insight into working in the arts. Being able to do a creatively stimulating course without compromising my relationship with other artistic disciplines has been life-changing.
My course leader frequently reminds us that we are artists designing time, and that is now one of my favourite quotes because it reminds me that, though I have strayed from the path I originally intended to follow, I am doing what I love.
