Event management students are more interested in the opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute, rather than the potential employer’s brand, attendees at beam's 2025 All Members Meeting heard.
Held at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, the event saw a panel of four final-year students from Manchester
Metropolitan University share their hopes, fears, and expectations for
the future of employment in the events industry.
Moderated by beam board member Caroline Medcalf, the session
featured senior lecturer Jonathan Sibley and students - Lucy Hucklebridge-Key,
Rummanah Promi, Claire Pisira, and Rachel Wheeler - offering a bold and honest
insight into what the next generation wants from the workplace.
Speaking to a room of more than 100 industry professionals,
the students spoke with clarity and conviction about what matters most to them
- opportunity, trust, meaningful mentorship, sustainability, and a diverse,
inclusive workplace culture.
They made it clear - they're more interested in opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute, rather than the brand of any potential employer.
Wheeler described her biggest fear about entering
the industry as being "thrown in at the deep end without support" - a
situation she hopes to avoid by finding an environment where she’s trusted to
take responsibility but still has someone to ask everyday questions. Hucklebridge-Key echoed the sentiment, saying her concern was slowing people down by needing
training - when in fact, like many graduates, she’s ready to hit the ground
running if given the right guidance and space to learn.
Lack of clarity
Another significant barrier raised was the lack of clarity
around job titles and expectations across the industry. The students
highlighted the confusion that exists when trying to understand what roles
involve, particularly at entry level. Without standardisation or transparency
in job descriptions, many find it difficult to map their career path - or even
know where to begin.
Mentorship was a key theme throughout the conversation.
While industry mentoring schemes such as Elevate and Fast Forward 15
were praised, it was clear that day-to-day, in-role mentoring - informal and
ongoing - makes the biggest impact.
As Sibley noted, “The degree gives them the foundation, but
it’s employers who must take accountability for their development once they
enter the workplace.”
Representation matters, too. For Promi, who has authored
a manifesto called Being a Muslim in the Events Industry, the lack of
visible diversity remains a barrier. Pisira, a REACH scholarship recipient,
reinforced the need for role models and representation, noting how important it
is for young people of colour to see themselves reflected in leadership roles
across the sector.
All four students also voiced a strong desire to see
genuine, committed action on sustainability. They said they’ve seen first-hand the waste the industry can produce - and they’re
paying attention to which businesses are taking responsibility and which are
not.
Hucklebridge-Key also admitted she’d never even
heard of the events industry until a family member introduced her to it -
reminding the room just how much work is still needed to raise awareness and
visibility among young people.
Inspiring
Speaking after the session, beam chair Louisa Watson said: “Everyone in the room was full of admiration for these
students, they generated confidence, professionalism, and honesty. To speak so
clearly about their fears and ambitions in front of a room full of senior
professionals was inspiring - and humbling. There was so much to take away from
that session. We were also delighted to hear how networking, both on LinkedIn
and in person, is being actively encouraged by the university to help these
future professionals connect and grow.
“In terms of raising our industry’s profile, we all have a
role to play. I’d encourage every organisation and individual to reach out to
local schools and colleges, and to join brilliant initiatives like The Power
of Events Schools Programme to build awareness and open more doors to the
future of our sector.
“The call is clear. The next generation is ready to
contribute - not in five years, but now. But for them to thrive, the industry
must ensure the doors are open, the support is real, and the culture is ready
to evolve.”
