To work on my professional skills and explore different roles withing the event sector I decided on a SMART goal that included me working 5 different shifts in different work areas before may 31st. This consisted of the streamers concert (bar), DGTL at ADE (accreditation), Ballorig (production & marketing), managing a birthday party, Solist events & Dutchweek (ticket scanning) and Bevrijdingsfestival Rotterdam (Bar manager). These work experiences porvided me insights into different roles and tasks and broadened my professional skills by having me network and learn new things. I also took a social hygiene course which focusses on people's behaviour, drugs, alcohol and other important leisure topics. I passed the exam however, this course was not taken into account with my smart goal but still adds to my professional skills.

I was excited to take on different roles but struggles with being able to plan them in. School mentions that in the event sector you have to be flexible, however when living 2 hours away from most events with no car, having 2 jobs and needing to pay rent etc it is very hard to gain those experiences which got me frustrated because I really wanted to do many more shifts for this goal but this wasn't feasible. The five shifts that I worked I all enjoyed! During the streamers I experienced pressure but the good kind that gives you a lot of satisfaction after. During DGTL I needed to be very focused and professional. At Ballorig there was a big responsibility expected from me. I noticed that each role became easier to take on because my knowledge and experiences kept increasing as well and this really showed growth to me. Scanning tickets at solist events and Dutchweek was not necessarily valuable in the context of the shift but helped me in networking and stepping out of comfort zone

Every experience thought me something new in their own ways. The streamers showed me the importance of punctuality because if you were late it could lead to being denied to work. This showed me responsibility but also a bit of a respectful side. The bar shift mostly showed me efficiency and communication. Working quickly, keeping the bar clean and managing the customer flow was important.  During DGTL I had be very professional and communicate well. There can't be any mistakes made with the accreditation otherwise you have random people in backstage areas. This made me more focused on details and highlighted the importance of double checking. Leading an event at my own work, Ballorig was a lot of fun! It helped me in my leadership, creativity and planning skills. By marketing the event I got to work on my creative skills and during the day I got faced with logistical and time management skilss. Altough the birthday party was a small-scale event it showed me how to think in solutions and adapt fast. I instructed everyone and made sure all aspects were covered. At Bevrijdingsfestival in Rotterdam I was bar manager. Communication stood out here due to people climbing fences which brought safety concerns. These experiences helped me with , problem-solving, communication, efficiency and planning.

Reflecting on these learning experiences and looking at my goal I can see clear growth in my professional development. I have improved myself in communication as this one came back in every shift but during the course of a year I also learned to just always communicate so people get a better understanding. In teamwork I learned to appreciate other peoples roles and realise that everyone is just doing their job. Leadership I learned how to plan proactive and lead other howver I have a specific goal for this. Responsibility by  working accreditation and VIP bar managemer it was required standing firm in my decisions. The marketing task at Ballorig helped my creative thinking which can be essential fo attracting audiences and providing event experiences. Punctuality, honest and clear communication and attention to safety were constantly standards  I had to meet and I came to value. These experiences were not only about the job but about seeing the core values of a professional in the event industry: responsibility, communication, adaptability and accountability

I could have worked even more different shifts but with what was mentioned before and shifts also getting cancelled this was not feasible however this does make me a little disappointed as to what could have been.  With more experience, I aim to become better at maintaining consistent energy throughout a shift. I also realise that being proactive in asking feedback from supervisors after each shift would help me reflect in more depth. There’s room for growth in how I apply critical thinking during live events and situational awareness and leadership presence. I want to keep exploring different event roles, especially in front-of-house, production and artist management (see smart goal 8) as these interested me the most.

I will continue developing my leadership and time management skills through real-world experiences. I will uphold professional ethics by staying punctual, respectful, prepared, and adaptable in all situations. Completing this SMART goal gave me practical skills and a deeper understanding of what it is like to be a professional in the event sector. Through various work experiences, I have worked on my communication, networking,  leadership and decision-making skills with positive aspects for future career growth.