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| Nate Adler Membership Director seemembership@umd.edu |
In case you missed the General Interest Meeting on Tuesday, September 20, there are various ways to get involved with Student Entertainment Events (SEE) depending on how much time you are willing to commit to the organization. Since SEE is responsible for coordinating so many events, there are 22 Director positions that make up the SEE Executive Board, as well as three teams that assist with the technical, security, and marketing aspects of our events. Any UMD undergraduate student can join the teams to help out at events; however, applications for SEE Director positions become available in the fall, usually in mid to late October.
The Tech and Security Team members are paid, and allow members to work the events they choose, attend those events for free and get fed well (when working over meal times). For more information about how to join the Tech Team, email Adam Reeves, SEE Technical Director, at seetechnical@umd.edu. For more information about the Security Team, email Ayelet Kravitz, SEE Security Director, at seesecurity@umd.edu.
The Marketing Team is not paid; however, the positions are incentive based; therefore, the more time one puts in, the more swag, autographs, and free tickets one can receive. A new position, Marketing Team Liaison, is being implemented this fall in order to collaborate with the Marketing Director and Marketing Team. The two Marketing Team Liaisons will be responsible for organizing incentives to keep interest in the Marketing Team members, as well as coordinate campus-wide marketing efforts before events. Applications for this position are due by October 5. If interested, contact Seth Backer, SEE Marking Director, at seemarketing@umd.edu for the application and with any questions. You can also ask Seth for more information about how to join the Marketing Team.
Almost all of the SEE Director positions are unpaid, except for the two Office Managers. Although these Director positions are great leadership experiences to have on one’s résumé, one may ask why someone would be interested in committing so much time and working so intensely on planning events without being paid during the school year. SEE offers a diverse range of friendships outside of one’s area of study, with students ranging from the business and engineering schools to even the Arabic Flagship Program. With almost 100 programs a year, the 22 Directors are constantly together, whether it is planning, executing, or just enjoying the event during or post show.
Another benefit for SEE Directors is having the opportunity to work with agents and the entertainment industry. Although this may not be as glamorous as it looks on Entourage, having the professional and social skills to coordinate events with agents and performers is an important life-skill and can still be enjoyable. By having Directors coordinate events in various areas (music, comedy, lectures, films, special events, or performing arts), Directors are able to become involved in the entertainment industry by interacting with those professionals. As a part of the Executive Board for SEE, Directors also have the opportunity to formally introduce proposals for future events, coordinate the promotion or behind-the-scenes execution of events, create recruitment and outreach strategies for the organization, and much more.
Another obvious perk of working for Student Entertainment Events is meeting the performers who SEE brings to campus. While I was driving Mac Miller and his crew to the venue for the Back to School Concert, one of them asked me if I got paid well for my position. I laughed and replied, “No, why would I get paid to hang out with you guys and Mac Miller all day?” For the last week all of my friends have told me how lucky I am to experience that opportunity and actually hang out with such a popular figure. Although some positions in SEE are paid, I have held my position with Student Entertainment Events for only a few weeks and cannot even describe how unforgettable all of the experiences have been. Meeting the celebrities that SEE and the University of Maryland are able to bring to campus is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Being involved in such a significant organization to the University of Maryland campus is an amazing feeling: knowing that you helped bring such substantial entertainment figures for the benefit of the students.
More specific information about all of the Director positions can be found on our website at http://www.see.umd.edu/directors.php, and make sure to watch the SEE website and Facebook and Twitter accounts for updates on the applications. Please note if chosen as a SEE Director, you will serve a three-semester term from Spring 2011 through Spring 2012. Directors must attend weekly SEE Executive Board meetings on Thursdays at 5 pm, participate in “all hands on deck” events, hold five office hours a week, and attend a SEE retreat once a semester. Directors must also maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA. As you know, SEE is an organization in the entertainment industry, so working nights and weekends should be expected.
Feel free to contact me at seemembership@umd.edu if you are interested in becoming involved with the organization. I look forward to helping you become a part of SEE!
