Educating The Venue Management Leaders Of Tomorrow | By Lee A. Esckilsen, CVE UNIVERSITIES:
Over the past 15 years as an educator, and 31 years in many facets
of the venue management business, I have developed a philosophy to educate students. I believe that this philosophy has helped them understand why they are spending four years in college preparing for the rigors of a professional career that will be demanding and tremen- dously rewarding. I had an epiphany about eight years ago, when I was listening to a good friend and colleague, Russ Simons, discussing the merits of high- er education with my Department Chair Lou Pullano and me prior to the lecture Russ gave to about 100 of our Sports, Entertainment and Event Management (SEEM) seniors. Russ said something during the conversation that has enabled me to help our students put their four years of college education into perspective. He said (and I am paraphrasing), colleges and universities should not attempt to educate of their career. Employers will explain the job description to their new employees and how they want them to perform in their culture. Edu- cators need to do the very best job they can to prepare students with the knowledge and skills to be successful. As I pondered the comments Russ made listening to him during his lecture to our students, I began to form my new philosophy. Edu- cation should be both content and process. Now, I routinely tell our students that they will learn both content and processes while they are on campus. The content of education, I explain, is all of the information they will be asked to learn in the classroom. At Johnson & Wales University, we strive to provide the most up-to-date information in the sports, en- tertainment, and event management business using multiple methods of teaching. This information is in the form of textbooks, lectures, power points, research, quizzes, exams, in-class assignments, and their own, with a partner, and participate in group work culminating - to take some or all of the courses required to complete their major through our College of On-Line Learning. The process of education, I explain, is the methods used to success-
fully navigate student life in the classroom. Students that successfully learn research, time management, and written and verbal communi- cation will have a much better chance of being hired and succeeding in their sports, entertainment, or event management careers.
is that when they graduate they will never have to do “homework” again. The homework we ask them to do is just another word for re- search. We are perfecting their ability to use the many resources avail- able to them though their lap top computers, tablets, and cell phones. The better their research skills are, the more successful they will be in their career.
Another skill that I tell them is a critical part of the process is time - sential. I tell them that there is a saying in our business: if you are on time, you are late. The same can be said for turning in assignments on time. For instance, if they are working in a venue and a live broadcast of a game starts live at 7:05 pm, you have to be ready by 6:45 pm. The game starts at 7:05 pm, not 7:30 pm. Being late is not acceptable, ever, especially with live televised events. Another part of the time management process is attending every
class, unless there is an extenuating circumstance, even when you do not feel like it. I remind them that if they work in a venue, for an event company, or a team, and you have an event or game, all the people that purchased tickets are counting on you and your colleagues to be ready to provide a safe and secure environment and an exceptional entertainment experience for every event. They expect you to be pre- pared all day, every day. So, handing an assignment in late or coming to class late is not acceptable now and especially after they graduate. Probably the most important part of the education process is de-
veloping communication skills. Most people would agree that the cur- meaningful, extended individual and group conversations. I also re- mind them that their cell phone is not going to get them through a job interview. Many people would also agree that the current generation rely too much on spell check and other forms of software. Therefore, I strive to help students understand and constantly re- mind them that improving their communication skills both verbally and in writing in all of their assignments, group work, and group pre- sentations is a must. Developing and perfecting these process skills will help them transition from our college campus to a successful interview and the management position in the career of their choice. Good communication skills are in many respects the most import job. A tie for second is retaining the content of their education and the amount of experience they have accrued. My time as a venue manager was memorable. I was able to work
experiences in a safe and secure environment. My time as an educator has been equally rewarding and memorable. I have been able to help students understand the content of education and develop the process skill set required to be successful sports and entertainment, venue, and event professionals. Many of my students are now experienced indus- try professionals. It has been gratifying to help them get to the starting line. FM
Lee A. Esckilsen, CVE, has been an IAVM member for 31 years. He is Associate Professor of the Department of Sports, Entertainment and Event – Management, The College of Hospitality Management at Johnson & Wales University in Prov- idence, Rhode Island.
CONTENT AND PROCESS
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