When you think about career development, what comes to mind? For many people, this involves taking a course, asking for more responsibilities at work, or exploring trends and cutting-edge innovation within their sector.
However, very few people appreciate the dynamic aspect of working at a festival and how it can impact their career. While valuable growth happens in the boardroom or education, experience can be gained in real-world events, and festivals are a fantastic way to immerse yourself in real life.
So, whether you’re working security at Coachella, helping with logistics for a local music event, or being part of the team at Burning Man, festivals are extraordinary life experiences and excellent career development choices.
Real World Problem Solving
At a festival, your team will encounter unique and interesting scenarios, to say the least, and be confronted with a range of unexpected issues. From weather disruptions to security concerns, medical mishaps, or lost campers, there is a gauntlet of situations you can find yourself in at any given time. The thrill of thinking on your feet, finding a solution to the issue at hand, and delivering favourable results is something any employer would be grateful to know you can do, regardless of the sector.
Communication and Teamwork
Festivals are only temporary, fleeting events that typically last only a moment, whether you’re working them or attending them. This means you need to form fast and effective partnerships with others you might not have met before and never will again.
This opens the door for you to develop exceptional interpersonal skills, work with a diverse group of people, and navigate complex environments. For example, suppose you join Royal Ambulance at Burning Man as an EMT. In that case, you’ll likely need to work with other medical professionals to deliver top-notch care and support within a fast-paced environment, and this experience can serve your medical career well.
Hands-On Experience
If you have ever wanted to get stuck in and learn on the ground, a festival is the place to jump feet first and throw yourself in the deep end.
Whether you’re assisting with first aid or logistics, providing direction and security support, or working in guest services, a festival is the perfect place to develop essential life and career skills in a high-pressure environment. The hands-on experience you gain from your time working festivals will typically transfer well to many other working environments in the boardroom, hospitality, healthcare, retail, and many more. What do you have to lose? You’ll come out feeling more confident and capable than ever.
Personal Growth
As New Age as that might sound to some, working in an environment that can push you out of your comfort zone and lead you into new situations and experiences can help you achieve personal growth. This growth is not just a buzzword, but a tangible skill employers love to see. You can learn a lot about who you are, what you’re capable of, and learn to adapt, trust your instincts, and go with the flow. And when you return to your day job, you might possess the necessary skills required to move forward and upwards in your career!
Thank you for reading!
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