A foot in the door

[elaineproctor]

I am currently studying my W.S.E.T Advanced Certificate and with my first certificate already under my belt want to pursue a career in the wine industry. I am 25 years old and have a Diploma in Public Relations, a Certificate in Advertising and Sales Promotion behind me also. I just need some advice as to what type of career in the wine industry might suit me? Also what is the best way to start off or as they say, get a foot in the door! Especially if there any possible employers out there today too...
Thanks in advance.


[This message has been edited by elaineproctor (edited 10-16-2001).]

[wondersofwine]

Ireland is part of EEU isn't it? This should open up opportunities on the European continent. If you are interested in working in the United States, you might start at a humble level by assisting with winery tours or tastings in Napa or Sonoma Valley and work into a larger marketing role from there. As past answers have emphasized, wineries are usually more than ready to hire extra hands to help with the harvest and that's a real ground-level (or hillside-level) way to get a foot or two hands in the door! Another avenue would be working in a retail wine estalishment. Where business is growing or there is turnover in employees, there may be a need for additional sales staff. Good luck! (I don't know how difficult it is to get a work visa for USA--EEU reciprocity might be the way to go. Do you have German or French language skills?)

[Innkeeper]

Since you are already in Europe, it would be a piece of cake to get a job working in a vineyard during the harvest. You could chit chat with any of the "brass" you encounter during the picking to maybe get further work during the crush and winemaking. After that, as Wonders suggests, get a job in retailing in a major city either in the EEU or wherever you want to be for awhile. With all that under your belt, you could move on to working as a wine steward, in management positions in retailing, wholesaling, wine oriented associations, or in some capacity at a winery.