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Sarah Vandermeer |
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Vandermeer, who currently
works at Jump! Creative, decided on event planning
as a career only a few years ago after pursuing a
degree in English. She says she liked the idea of interacting
with others, channeling her creativity towards good
causes and constantly being challenged
and inspired to do better.
"I researched event planning programs at all post-secondary
schools in Ontario and George Brown College was the only
school that was suitable to what I was looking for,"
she recalls. "My decision to move to Toronto to attend this school was
one of the best decisions I
've ever made."
The Special
Events Planning for Destination Tourism program laid
the foundation for her career in event marketing,
Vandermeer says.
"The curriculum covered a lot of areas that I didn't realize affected
the event industry such as law and accounting," she says.
Although these weren't necessarily her favourite subjects to study in school,
she has since developed a deeper appreciation for them
and uses what she learned in her daily work.
The greatest
benefits of the two-year program were the wide range
of volunteer opportunities, hands-on learning
and exposure to real events, Vandermeer says.
"The faculty was amazing; I couldn't have asked for a better group
of teachers," she adds.
"In fact, I still keep in touch
with many of them as often as possible because they definitely
became mentors and friends."
Vandermeer, who grew up in a small
town near London, Ontario, recalls taking full advantage
of being in the
heart of Toronto, surrounded by parks, great food and
good shopping.
"I always recommend the Special Events Planning program
that George Brown offers to anyone who even hints that they might be
interested in this field,"she says, adding a few words of wisdom
to those considering an event planning career: "Once you've
made your decisions, run with them, push hard and don't look back."
We encourage you to visit the Alumni Association.
Or, contact information the Hospitality & Tourism Alumni association
at:
Hospitality & Tourism Alumni
300 Adelaide St. E.
Toronto, ON M5A 1N1
To learn more, visit the George
Brown College Alumni page.
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