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Job outlook for event planning interns in the United States
Event planning internship job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected event planning internship job growth rate is 18% from 2018-2028.
About 22,900 new jobs for event planning interns are projected over the next decade.
Event planning internship salaries have increased 9% for event planning interns in the last 5 years.
There are over 34,090 event planning interns currently employed in the United States.
There are 63,599 active event planning internship job openings in the US.
The average event planning internship salary is $31,449.
Are event planning internship jobs in demand?
Event planning internship job and salary trends over time
Event planning internship jobs over time
Event planning internship job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 34,090 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 37,918 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 40,508 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 37,933 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 35,286 | 0.01% |
Average event planning internship salary over time
Event planning internship salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,449 | $15.12 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $30,863 | $14.84 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $30,113 | $14.48 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $29,454 | $14.16 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | $28,881 | $13.89 | +1.1% |
Event planning internship jobs by state
Most common states for event planning interns
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 145 | 21% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 108 | 17% |
| 3 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 126 | 14% |
| 4 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 82 | 14% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 99 | 13% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 116 | 12% |
| 7 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 168 | 10% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 133 | 10% |
| 9 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 130 | 10% |
| 10 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 110 | 10% |
| 11 | Alaska | 739,795 | 73 | 10% |
| 12 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 599 | 9% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 100 | 9% |
| 14 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 290 | 8% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 157 | 8% |
| 16 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 555 | 7% |
| 17 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 399 | 7% |
| 18 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 372 | 7% |
| 19 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 285 | 7% |
| 20 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 217 | 7% |
Event Planning Internship job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of event planning internship experts
Seattle University
Marshall University
Northern Kentucky University
University of Notre Dame
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Spokane Community College
Wisconsin School of Business
Dordt University
Bethel University
Missouri State University
Brigham Young University–Hawaii
Events Industry
Lasell University
Jim Clune
InstructorSeattle University
Communication Department
What experience really stands out on Event Planning Internship resumes?
Jim Clune: When reviewing resumes with students, I always emphasize that they go beyond output to outcome. They should definitely share what they have done and are capable of doing, but it is far more important to explain their impact, the direct employer benefit. What really stands out is when someone can quantify their accomplishments.
The other thing I share with students is to frame their non-career work experience as relevant skill building. A budding PR professional can learn a lot as a barista at Starbucks: customer relations, marketing, problem resolution, organizational representation, etc.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Event Planning Interns?
Jim Clune: Virtual work is certainly here to stay. Interest in remote work has skyrocketed. This is good news as geography is less restrictive than it used to be, particularly in the information industry. LinkedIn reports that members are more likely to connect with others outside of the area where they live. One positive aspect of remote work is that it can shift the focus from how employees present themselves - for example, what they are wearing - to how employees demonstrate their expertise through what they say and what they can do.
What type of skills will young Event Planning Interns need?
Jim Clune: Beyond technical skills, another key skill continues to be an ability to work in teams, particularly with people who are different than yourself. This requires even more skill in how you communicate. How you communicate defines who you are in the eyes of your coworkers, and this is just as important, if not more important, when working virtually. This means not just an ability to clearly and concisely express your ideas but also your ability to project confidence and competence.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Event Planning Internship job market given the pandemic?
Mark Zanter: Not much change in the music education market. There are fewer positions this year because of the uncertainty.
What soft skills should all Event Planning Interns possess?
Mark Zanter: All graduates should be able to write and express themselves clearly and communicate effectively in their discipline.
What's a day at work look like for an Event Planning Internship?
Mark Zanter: Most of Bachelor's students obtain a Masters degree since that is entry level for teaching in Higher ed. In recent years they have set themselves up as entrepreneurs in music business (writing jingles etc.), working as liturgical musicians, teaching privately, teaching in Higher ed, or working for an Arts Institution. Some will go into other fields like law, medicine, computer science, or public school teaching.
Yaw Frimpong-Mansoh Ph.D.
Professor of Philosophy and Acting ChairNorthern Kentucky University
Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Philosophy
What technical skills for an Event Planning Internship stand out to employers?
Yaw Frimpong-Mansoh Ph.D.: Here is a brief description of the top nine transferable skills that student graduates vitally need to succeed effectively and efficiently in this constantly changing world.
Analytical and Critical Thinking. Employees with these competencies recognize there may be more than one valid point of view or one way of doing things. They evaluate an issue or problem based on multiple perspectives, while accounting for personal biases. They are able to identify when information is missing or if there is a problem, prior to coming to conclusions and making decisions.
Applied Problem Solving. People with this skill recognize constraints and can generate a set of alternative courses of action. They are able to evaluate alternatives using a set of criteria in order to select and implement the most effective solution and monitor the actual outcomes of that solution. They are also able to recognize there may be more than one valid point of view or course of action.
Ethical Reasoning and Decision Making. Workers trained with these competencies can assess their own moral values and perspectives as well as those of others. They are able to integrate those values and perspectives into an ethical framework for decision making. They consider intentions and anticipate the consequences of actions, both at the personal and social levels, and understand the ethical principles that apply to a situation before making decisions.
Innovation and Creativity. People with these competencies challenge existing paradigms and propose alternatives without being constrained by established approaches or anticipated responses of others. They bring their knowledge, skills, abilities, and sense of originality to the work that they do. They are willing to take risks and overcome internal struggle to expose their creative self in order to bring forward new work or ideas.
Digital Literacy. People with this competency have expertise in evaluating sources of information for accuracy, relevance, purpose, and bias. They respond quickly and creatively to emerging communication technologies and to the changing uses of existing technologies. They recognize how the basics of effective communication persist as the technological landscape evolves and changes while also recognizing the opportunities created for new and innovative approaches to get a message across.
Engaging Diversity. This competency makes employees understand that diversity provides a broader perspective, giving an organization a wider range of options toward resolving challenges. Such employees have the ability to see others points of view and recognize that only seeing things through one’s own culture and experiences is an impediment to achieving goals. They possess the cultural humility to acknowledge their own biases and to manage the conflicts that are inevitable in an increasingly diverse world.
Active Citizenship and Community Engagement. Employees with this competency understand that creating change and opening paths to new futures starts with the active participation of citizens in their local communities and even spans globally. They actively engage with their communities, because they know that their contributions impact the community and that their engagement with the community in turn shapes them. Through coursework, participation in service-learning projects, and volunteering, they have developed and fine-tuned their awareness of social and cultural differences, of the dynamics and needs of the local as well as global communities and are active citizens who engage with their communities to find new futures.
Teamwork and Leadership. Employees who possess this ability are able to both lead and be a part of a cohesive group. They understand their roles and responsibilities within a group, and how they may change in differing situations. They are able to influence others as leaders or as contributing members and have the willingness to take action. They leverage the strengths of the group to achieve a shared vision or objective. They effectively acknowledge and manage conflict toward solutions.
Oral and Written Communication. Employees with these vital skills have the ability to intentionally engage with various audiences to inform, persuade, and entertain. They are able to demonstrate their proficiency and expertise in various means of oral and written communication. They can create effective relationships with an audience as they keep in mind the needs, goals, and motivations of all involved. They are able to ensure that the communication they create is functional and clear to achieve a desired outcome.
Warren von Eschenbach Ph.D.
Associate Vice President and Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs (ND International) and Associate Teaching ProfessorUniversity of Notre Dame
ND International and Philosophy
What type of skills will young Event Planning Interns need?
Warren von Eschenbach Ph.D.: Critical thinking and communication skills, information and quantitative literacy, teamwork and problem-solving abilities, ethical reasoning, and intercultural competency-all hallmarks of a liberal arts education-will continue to be essential skills for the future. But because of the rapid pace of technological, economic, and social change, graduates will need to possess an ability to continually learn anew, to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty, and to anticipate future trends or issues.
The pandemic has also shown that many of the big issues we are facing are complex, multi-faceted, and interdisciplinary in nature. Graduates who can integrate various paradigms into a larger framework will have a distinct advantage.
Kirstin Wilcox Ph.D.
DirectorUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Humanities Professional Resource Center, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
What skills stand out on Event Planning Internship resumes?
Kirstin Wilcox Ph.D.: The so-called "soft skills" like communication, critical thinking, and the ability to cope with ambiguity are more important than ever listing them in a "skills" section of a resume is less effective than documenting them through thoughtful bullet points in an "experience" section that addresses the specific needs of particular employers.
What skills stand out on Event Planning Internship resumes?
Julie Way: These are the most in-demand attributes year after year...
-Problem-solving skills and experience
-Ability to work on a team
-Industry-related Technical skills
-Analytical and quantitative skills
-Leadership
-Communication skills
-Strong work ethic
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Event Planning Internship job market given the pandemic?
Duane Sunwold: Curb-side To Go, Food Trucks, Personal Catering, Family Farming, Farmers Markets. The meeting and convention market is expected to see an increase by 2022.
What Event Planning Internship skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Duane Sunwold: Personal Communication Skills, Vocational Math, Food Science
What general advice would you give to an Event Planning Internship?
Duane Sunwold: Look for employment in Private Clubs, Supermarket Baking, Resorts, Casinos
What experience really stands out on Event Planning Internship resumes?
Carl Barlett: While good GPAs and relevant majors are all well and good, students put too much focus on them in my experience. When I interviewed potential employees, what stood out for me on resumes was always something that made me want to ask them more questions. This might have been anything from in-depth projects or simulations they had participated in, case competitions they had voluntarily taken part in, or even unique hobbies they pursued in their free time. Anything that showed a spark of intellectual curiosity was paramount to me. In my experience, those with genuine interest and the desire to continue learning about what they do will always outlast those that approach their resume or professional skills as a checklist to complete.
What type of skills will young Event Planning Interns need?
Dr. Timothy Soelen: I was going to say flexibility but I'll choose elasticity instead. The abilty to change and adapt, be stretched and compressed. People capable of pivoting as quickly as our best educators did in March of 2020.
What Event Planning Internship skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Christopher Gehrz Ph.D.: In one sense, almost any gap year activity could be helpful, since one of the skills that Aacu they value most highly is the ability "to work independently." It's hard to make the transition from K-16 education, where so much of your time and work has been structured for you, into a work environment where supervisors will expect you to set priorities, accomplish tasks, and manage time on your own. So a gap year of any sort might give you a chance to hone such skills. COVID permitting, a gap year can also be a time to travel, to develop more of the intercultural competency and facility with languages that are increasingly important in an economy where your bosses, coworkers, customers, and clients might live halfway around the world, or at least come from a very different background than yours.
Dr. Jokima Hiller
Assistant ProfessorMissouri State University
Department of Hospitality Leadership
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Event Planning Internship job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Jokima Hiller: -Virtual interviews as the final interview. In the past, an interview via phone or Skype may have served as the initial screening interview prior to having the candidate come out for an in-person interview. Now, the virtual interview may be the pre-screening and final interview prior to offer.
-Virtual job fairs. There are a few online platforms such as Handshake that are being used for recruitment purposes. This prevents applicants from having to come on-property or to gather to see who is hiring. Job seekers can create a profile, log on to the platform, and go from employer to employer to see what opportunities they have available.
-Virtual tours. Candidates that are doing their own research on a business will definitely review the company's website. A hospitality company most likely has already provided photos and videos of their location for their guests. Now, these resources are being utilized by job seekers versus showing up or coming in for a tour.
In addition, there is more reliance today on social media as a way to get to know candidates.
What skills stand out on Event Planning Internship resumes?
Dr. Jokima Hiller: Employers are seeking candidates who are:
- Adaptable, Flexible
- Have transferable skills such as customer service, financial management, problem solving, critical thinking, etc.
- Self-starter
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Event Planning Interns to find work opportunities?
Dr. Jokima Hiller: Look at secondary markets for opportunities. Unfortunately, many of your major markets have been hit hard resulting in closings or in closings, reopenings, and then closings again because there hasn't been enough business to sustain them. But, you will find that the next town over had hospitality businesses that scaled back but never closed thereby meeting the needs of their regulars and attracting displaced business from the larger markets. For example, Indianapolis is a major market where their downtown area was greatly impacted. However, some hotels in Fishers remained open and are now actively seeking candidates as they ramp back up.
What general advice would you give to an Event Planning Internship?
Joel Reece Ph.D.: Review job postings of career jobs you want to see what types of skills and experience they are looking for in applicants, then go find opportunities to gain those skills and experience.
Look for opportunities to get involved. It is ok to be a volunteer or have an entry level job.
Think of your job as a place you can get paid to learn. Work with the attitude to add value to the company.
What will help Event Planning Interns increase their earning potential?
Joel Reece Ph.D.: Be willing to serve on extra committees. Anticipate the needs of your supervisor. Be dependable. Add value to the organization.
What Event Planning Internship skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Joel Reece Ph.D.: Communication skills related to cultural sensitivity
Hosting skills to coordinate and put on events to maximize facility use and revenue
Barbara Connell
Chair of Events Industry Council’s CMP Governance Commission and CEO at the American Society for Gastrointestinal EndoscopyEvents Industry
What type of skills will young Event Planning Interns need?
Barbara Connell: Depending on the position that is available, various items draw attention. If a manager or junior role is being filled, an experience that shows continued alignment within a field or type of activity and learning within that field or activity is appealing. Dedication and consistency are always attractive. If a senior role is being filled, deep levels of varied responsibility and achievement are indicators that an individual is committed, focused, and likely to be a successful leader. Tenure is also attractive; staying in a position for 3-5 years or more is a positive trait and shows that the organization's investment will be protected.
How do you envision technology impacting Event Planning Interns in the next 5 years?
Barbara Connell: The pandemic has shown us that we can deliver events and programming in a variety of ways with technology. Frankly, the field has been expanding in this direction over the past ten years; it was necessary to make a hard decision to move virtually more quickly and with greater breadth than originally anticipated. Delivering content virtually, testing remotely, and engaging learners or participants by using technology in a broader sense is promising. The face-to-face element of education and interaction will never go away, but organizations and associations have the opportunity to reach audiences they previously never envisioned. Each organization has a chance to be truly global now, as warranted, if they provide relevant content that is tailored for the remote learner and make it valuable. Shorter, more digestible content with clear objectives and outcomes will make organizations approachable. Don't try to do too much; however, use technology to do what you do best and reach previously unreachable constituents.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Event Planning Interns?
Barbara Connell: Inevitably, there will be an impact, especially in those fields that rely on face-to-face learning, such as medicine. While we're learning how to better engage individuals safely in all areas, there are some fields that simply require personal, hands-on education, which is difficult and can be unsafe, especially when working with sick or compromised patients. Those who were scheduled to enter their final year of education over the last 5-8 months are going to experience education in a different fashion and likely have an altered outcome. It is critical for all educators to try to engage at a deeper level while remotely teaching, and then encourage the student to seek ongoing education after graduation to further hone skills. The concept of life-long learning is more important than ever.
Siddharth Mobar
Assistant ProfessorLasell University
Department of Hospitality & Event Management
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Event Planning Internship job market given the pandemic?
Siddharth Mobar: There will be a reset of wages, cross-training as hotels will pivot to more efficient operations and there will be a demand for graduates with more specialized skills, professional hospitality industry certifications.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Event Planning Interns in the next 3-5 years?
Siddharth Mobar: More brands will invest in check in and check out kiosks and apps will be more promoted than before. Better air quality and other ultraviolet cleaning tools.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Event Planning Interns in the next 5 years?
Siddharth Mobar: There will be an increase, will go back to pre-pandemic levels when demand increases.