How I got my job: Ami Cervin, 25, Coon Rapids

Title: Events Planner

Education: B.A. in business management, Gustavus Adolphus College

Salary: More than $40,000

What do you do? I plan and hold meetings and events. Everything from United Way's participation in festivals, the [Minneapolis] Aquatennial and St. Paul Winter Carnival, to the annual board dinner and donor recognition events.

How many events do you plan in a year? We do 50 to 75 throughout the year, but some months are a little heavier than others.

Your most striking event? Our emerging leaders wine tasting was in January, and we had a South African theme, everything from the décor to name tags to entertainment was South African, themed-out.

Most recent event you planned? I participated in United Way's alternative spring break program as a team leader. I went to Mississippi for 10 days and worked on the Hurricane Katrina relief. About 80 college students were down there from all over the country, a couple of groups building houses, a couple removing debris so they could start building housing.

What keeps you excited to come to work everyday? The variety in the types of projects and events that I get to work with. The people I get to work with -- all types.

Career advice? Get involved in every association in the industry that you can, as a student and as a professional.

What do you take most pride in concerning your events? Seeing it all come together from a piece of paper to the actual event.

Essential character traits for your job? Customer-service skills, tough skin and flexibility to deal with last-minute changes.