SEE Security: My Best College Decision

Ayelet Kravitz
Security Director
seesecurity@umd.edu

One of the many ways to be involved with SEE is being on the Security Team.  The Security Team works during SEE events to secure the venue and ensure the safety of both audience and talent alike.  Typically during an event, the Security Team will check tickets, give out wristbands, guard green rooms and make sure people are coming in and going out the appropriate entrances and exits in an organized manner, while also making sure that the artist’s security and privacy is not compromised.

I joined the Security Team my first semester of my freshman year – I went to the SEE General Interest Meeting in the Baltimore Room in the Stamp Student Union and like most freshmen, my new college environment overwhelmed me.  I had no idea what SEE was, I was just there because one of my new friends convinced me to go because it sounded “cool.”  Honestly, I could hardly hear anything that was said during the meeting, except at the end when I heard “and you get paid!”  Paid?  Alright, sign me up!

Joining the Security Team (or just SEE in general) was one of the best decisions I ever made.  In addition to meeting new people, I had a priceless and unique college experience that only about 150 students on this campus will have each year.  Then, in the spring semester of sophomore year, I became the incoming Security Director on the SEE Executive Board. This was the second best decision I ever made.  As the Security Director, I was asked “What is your vision for the Security Team?  What are your goals as Security Director?”  I thought about my year on the Security Team, what I didn’t like and what I wanted to improve.  The answer was clear – personalize, socialize, and improve the overall experience for the members of the Security Team.

In the past year and a half as the Security Director, I have worked hard to fulfill my goals and make my vision for the Security Team come true.  My first step was creating a Facebook group just for the Security Team members to enable them to reach out and friend each other, keep in touch and create a social aspect to being on the Security Team.  Next, I began to introduce name games before working events so that everyone would know each other and be able to make some sort of connection with each other outside of SEE.  I could slowly see the transformation of my team, from being shy and quiet to always talking and leaving with a friend or two to walk back home after an event.

My most recent step toward accomplishing my goal was ordering t-shirts that SEE Security Team members could keep and wear proudly.  I made sure to ask the Security Team (via the Facebook group) what they wanted the shirts to look like.  Once the design was decided on, we ordered the t-shirts from ooShirts at  www.ooshirts.com, and began distributing them to anyone on the team who had worked two or more events during the 2011-2012 school year.

I do my best to make the experience of being on the Security Team feel more like being part of a club, rather than a job.  I want it to be rewarding, memorable and most of all, fun.  I want to make joining the Security Team everyone’s best decision, like it was for me.

If this sounds like something you would like to get involved with, don’t hesitate to email me at seesecurity@umd.edu with any questions you might have.  If you’re still not convinced, maybe this video will help! 

How to Join SEE

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!