Learners in the Kansas City area who are ready to pursue a new career — or take their current one to a new level — face a difficult choice: where do they start?
Nontraditional students who are ready to make a change often struggle with the decision to commute or relocate in order to advance their career. Their options can prove to be financially draining, emotionally stressful or simply impossible depending on the circumstances.
Fortunately, hospitality management students now have an incredible option right here in Johnson County for completing their undergraduate degree: Kansas State University Olathe’s bachelor’s degree completion program.
Conveniently located in the Kansas City metro area, K-State Olathe offers a variety of class times and styles – including online – to ensure that today’s modern learners are able to get the education they need to push their careers forward.
One of the most popular degree programs offered at K-State Olathe is hospitality management, which boasts a curriculum carefully designed to help students complete their undergraduate degrees so they can pursue a fulfilling career in the hospitality industry.
Events Planning: Is it Right for You?
Mary Partridge is the events coordinator at K-State Olathe and a key player in organizing, planning and managing events on campus — and she has some advice for learners considering a future in events planning.
According to Partridge, planning events is about more than just scheduling a time when the building is free. It's about making sure that the planner anticipates any possible obstacles or problems that could arise.
"Events planning is all about listening to what people want and anticipating what they’ll need in order to have a successful event,” Partridge said. “Sometimes what someone asks for and what they actually need are two different things, so I work to ensure I understand the vision of each event so I can guide clients through the planning process.”
If you’ve been thinking about hospitality management as an academic goal, the bachelor’s degree completion program here at the Olathe campus could help launch a career as an events coordinator, like Partridge.
An events coordinator works directly with clients, caterers and team members to ensure that events are flawless from start to finish.
Partridge said that the secret to hosting a perfect event is to plan in advance.
“You have to stay one step ahead of the event,” she said. “Speaking with the caterers, rental companies and tech team in advance means that on the day of the event, we're ready for everything.”
Because so many various elements go into ensuring an event is successful, working as an events coordinator requires passion, organization and, of course, great communication skills.
So, what do hospitality management students need to know about an events coordinator role?
“You can’t be afraid to work hard,” Partridge said. “Being an events coordinator is very rewarding, but it requires dedication and a strong attention to detail.”
If you’re driven, passionate and love a challenge, events planning could be the ideal opportunity for you to pursue a career where you’re able to connect with an incredible number of people.
As an events planner, Partridge has had the unique opportunity to plan a variety of corporate events ranging from just a few people to hundreds of attendees. Each event has its own challenges, so it’s important to approach each reservation with the goal of helping your client have a successful event.
Of course, every events coordinator has certain parts of the job that are near and dear to their hearts, and Patridge is no exception.
“I love getting to talk to our clients. Especially when we have big events, talking to different people and hearing their stories is so rewarding,” she said.
If you’re ready to take the next step and complete your hospitality management degree right here in Olathe, you can learn more about the B.S. in Hospitality Management degree completion program directly on our website.
What Can You Do with a Hospitality Management Degree?
When you think of hospitality management, what career paths come to mind?
You might be thinking of working at a hotel, an events venue or even a university. These are all potential career paths for any hospitality management graduate.
The reality is that you have an endless assortment of potential career paths when you choose a Hospitality Management degree from K-State Olathe, including:
- Events planner or director
- Administrative manager
- Gaming manager
- Transportation manager
- Executive chef
- Director of housekeeping
- Travel agent
- Flight attendant
Your student support team here at K-State Olathe can help answer your questions about future career paths and assist you in creating an academic plan that makes sense for your life.
What Can You Expect at K-State Olathe?
When you reach out to K-State Olathe, you’ll be connected with a student success coach who will guide you through the process of launching your academic career right here in Olathe. We are so excited to have you join our campus as a student and we can’t wait to support you in your academic journey.
Our team wants to be there for you at each step of your academic career. Our student support services team will be a key part of your experience here on campus and will ensure that you have the guidance you need to be successful.
Learn more about hospitality management
To learn more about K-State Olathe or how you can get started with the Hospitality Management degree completion program, visit us online. We can’t wait to help you get started.
