End of a chapter and a reflection

As my time as an intern has come to an end, it is a perfect occasion to reflect on the time spent at Serenity.

Studying during the final year at university can be very challenging. You have to constantly manage your time, adjust any meetings and work to your schedule and still have time to clean your house, cook and have a social life. So why would you even think about adding an internship to your tasks?

I have been taught to always take every opportunity that arises and make the most of it. During my time at Serenity, I have expanded my knowledge and skills in event management and administration, which have proven to be extremely useful when talking to recruiters at various companies. I even managed to secure a full-time graduate job within 2 months of finishing all my exams! 

Before starting the internship I was unsure of how I could become more professional in a workplace, be it on the phone or facing the client, but at Serenity, I have been given the chance to learn that through practice. When you put the knowledge you have gained at university into practice, and the practical one into writing coursework, you realise how much easier it is to understand the nature of events and the logistics behind them.

So to my fellow students beginning their final year of study in September - do not be afraid to take up the challenge. A few months of very hard work will pay off once you finish your studies!

M x

Seoul, SHINee and Soft Tofu Stew

I would have never imagined that I would be travelling to the other side of the globe, but this seemed like the best option for a graduation gift from me to myself, so I thought ‘Why not?’.

And this is how I ended up in Seoul, South Korea, one of the biggest centers of technology in the world. 

Although I will be here for three weeks, I have already seen a lot and learned more about the culture. The district where I am staying, Hongdae, is one of the busiest areas in Seoul, offering lots of amenities including shops and restaurants, as well as bars and even karaoke rooms! Every last Wednesday of the month there is a Culture Day in Korea, which means entry tickets to museums, theatres, cinemas, exhibitions and other cultural events are discounted or even - at some places - free.

I was lucky enough to even attend a K-pop concert of a boy group called SHINee, who have just celebrated their 15th anniversary.

In the next few weeks I am planning to attend a short business course with Korean language, visit a port city Busan and explore Seoul as much as possible. Oh, and obviously - have lots of Korean food!

M x

Thoughts on Studying Events Management at University

When choosing a course at university, I had to think about what I wished to have achieved by the end of my course. The answer was securing a graduate job, which would bring me the feeling of satisfaction and make me financially stable. Organising events and seeing them come to life is what gives me the most satisfaction, so it was easy to chose this course among so many others.

When studying Event Management, I learned a lot about policies, documentation needed and the processes of professional organisation of events. It became obvious, that managing events is not an easy job and requires a lot of resilience against stress under all circumstances. Although it is a stressful environment, the feeling of accomplishment that comes with watching your event come to life is one of the most rewarding aspects of this industry.

Studying Event Management also increases employability. Before starting my course, I thought maybe I could land a job in this industry without studying for three years. But the more I looked at entry-level job advertisements, the clearer it became that a degree would be essential if I wanted to pursue a career in professional events.

So, this course can be the most satisfying thing in the world and help you to secure a well-paid job, but it can also be very stressful! Great stress management is therefore a useful skill to have before starting this course. And remember - do not be afraid to ask for help :)

Meg