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Event planning internship vs special events coordinator

The differences between event planning interns and special events coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an event planning internship and a special events coordinator. Additionally, a special events coordinator has an average salary of $40,063, which is higher than the $31,449 average annual salary of an event planning internship.

The top three skills for an event planning internship include event planning, press releases and facebook. The most important skills for a special events coordinator are customer service, event planning, and press releases.

Event planning internship vs special events coordinator overview

Event Planning InternshipSpecial Events Coordinator
Yearly salary$31,449$40,063
Hourly rate$15.12$19.26
Growth rate18%18%
Number of jobs63,59934,538
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 87%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

Event planning internship vs special events coordinator salary

Event planning interns and special events coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Event Planning InternshipSpecial Events Coordinator
Average salary$31,449$40,063
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $42,000Between $26,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Smithsonian Institution
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between event planning internship and special events coordinator education

There are a few differences between an event planning internship and a special events coordinator in terms of educational background:

Event Planning InternshipSpecial Events Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 87%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorCommunicationBusiness
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversitySan Diego State University

Event planning internship vs special events coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between event planning interns' and special events coordinators' demographics:

Event Planning InternshipSpecial Events Coordinator
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 15.1% Female, 84.9%Male, 26.4% Female, 73.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 5.9% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 5.9% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between event planning internship and special events coordinator duties and responsibilities

Event planning internship example responsibilities.

  • Collaborate with other interns to update and manage the event's website and Facebook page.
  • Manage correspondence regarding marketing for the company using social media outlets such as Facebook and MySpace.
  • Manage and coordinate activities between the ACM CEO and board members, VIP sponsors, and charity groups.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations to be used at client meetings
  • Create Powerpoint presentations featuring local celebrities and sponsors.
  • Analyze previous event participant demographics to enable management to better plan unique events and ensure attendance across all alumni classes.
  • Show more

Special events coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Work closely with MDA families, volunteers, sponsors and fellow staff to achieve MDA objectives.
  • Maintain business website and manage Facebook account.
  • Manage reservations and priority seating for VIP diners to ensure customer satisfaction and encourage repeat business.
  • Compile programs and PowerPoint presentations for day of event.
  • Check RSVP lines and provide attendee list for day of event.
  • Create promotional flyers, brochures, and PowerPoint presentations for multiple target markets.
  • Show more

Event planning internship vs special events coordinator skills

Common event planning internship skills
  • Event Planning, 19%
  • Press Releases, 9%
  • Facebook, 7%
  • Twitter, 5%
  • Instagram, 5%
  • Event Management, 5%
Common special events coordinator skills
  • Customer Service, 24%
  • Event Planning, 11%
  • Press Releases, 4%
  • Event Logistics, 4%
  • Event Management, 4%
  • PowerPoint, 3%

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