Q&A with VCC Wedding and Event Management grad Buket Donnelly

What is your current career?
Event Sales Manager at Capilano Group.

Can you describe your journey to VCC?
I was a senior account manager for 13 years at a bank when I decided to change my career at the age of 39. Since elementary school, I always volunteered and liked organizing events, so with my husband’s support and encouragement, I applied to VCC’s Wedding and Event Management program.

How did you get your job?
VCC program coordinator Joy Dalla-Tina advised me to become a member of International Live Event Association (ILEA) Vancouver Chapter and that’s how my life changed. Another ILEA member, who was the GM of Stanley Park Pavilion, offered me the job. Now I have been the event sales manager of Stanley Park properties since March 2018.

What is your best piece of advice for someone starting out in this industry?
It’s never too late to make your dreams come true!

What was the best part about studying at VCC? 
VCC gave me the skills to go immediately into the field of events.

What impact did your teachers at VCC have on your career path?
They were great mentors.

What would people be surprised to know about being an event planner?
They may be surprised to know that being an event planner is never a 9-to-5, Monday-to-Friday job.

What is the coolest event you have been involved in so far?
We organize so many cool events such as TED Talks and GOOP events.

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