A Life Changing Event

by Aliya M.
(Atlanta, GA USA)

Since April 2009, I have been unemployed and become increasingly frustrated in my job search and continuing career. Not counting the high school years, my entrance into the workforce was in 1993 as an Annuities Clerk, on Wall Street at an annuity insurance company. I processed basic sales paperwork and produced basic correspondence on behalf of sales managers and trainees.

My responsibilities increased when I joined an agency that sold similar products (not FDIC insured) within local NYC banks. I studied to earn series 7 & 63 licenses but lost interest.

In addition to verifying the qualification of the sale, supporting the director and supervisors, I also planned all sales meetings, agency outings and special events.

I used my basic administrative skills, customer service experience and enthusiasm for planning events and project management to get my next position at Black Enterprise Magazine. I supported 2 event managers and a director in all aspects of planning 2 networking sporting events (Pepsi Golf & Tennis Challenge and AXA Advisors Ski Challenge).

After 9/11, I was let go and began to work at an up an coming jewelry company/store in Harlem NYC. I was the executive assistant to the owners and served as a customer service, office manager for the store.

While processing special orders and payments, I began to develop the company's bridal boutique. When sales began to fall, I was again let go. I didn't know how to pursue my passion of planning events, so I moved to Maryland and got a leg into hospitality by working for Marriott Reservations. When they closed the reservations center, I was again unemployed.

My experience at Marriott led to my Sales Coordinator position at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in Fairfax, VA. While I was not directly working on special events and meetings, I learned the proposal and contract process, booking clients and reservations for groups, the contract turnover process, became familiar with all positions and their roles within a hotel facility and increased my execution of customer service performance.


I again, used my new talents and experiences to pursue a position that I desired. I moved to the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center in Washington, DC as a Sales Assistant.

I prepared and sent sales kits, proposals, contracts and banquet event orders to clients on behalf of 2 catering sales managers, event planning managers and catering director. Conducted sales inquiries and site visits and assisted with managing program logistics on the day of the events.

To gain further insight on event production, I transferred to event operations where I initially assisted the executive chef and sous chefs in creating special menus and following through on banquet details, ordering special item, keeping track of menu changes, detailing required banquet items and keeping track of kitchen personnel activities and paperwork.

Because of my knowledge of event planning, sales and kitchen operations, I was assigned the task of being the liaison to both departments to ensure that all details were communicated properly. Since this was a newly created position, in April 2009, it was the first to be eliminated when Trade Center Management Associates' (contracted by GSA) contract was to be renewed.

While there, a co-worker approached me to start our own event services agency. We had a few wedding clients and were not able to commit to anymore because of the work load at the Ronald Reagan Building. Since then, I have moved to Atlanta, GA and have been freelancing with a few full service event designers and planners.

I am still unemployed and faced with the decision to use my experience and talents to find employment with another organization or establish myself as an independent event planner. Either way I need direction. Help!