GIA Announces Additional Panelists for Jewelry Career Fair on Oct. 21

Recruiter registration now open

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Sept. 13, 2011 – GIA (Gemological Institute of America) announced today additional panelists being featured at the Institute’s Jewelry Career Fair and Open House on Oct. 21 at the world headquarters in Carlsbad, California. Recognized as the industry’s preeminent recruiting event, Career Fair helps bring together industry members, job seekers and recruiters to foster successful careers in gems and jewelry.

Recruiter registration is open and now available online.

In addition to the Career Fair opening discussion, “Job Success in Today’s Market,”  panels will include:
“From Design to Finish,” moderated by Peggy Jo Donahue, director of public affairs for MJSA, will feature a panel of high-end jewelry designers who will share their stories of success and offer tips to aspiring designers. The panelists include: Erica Courtney, president, Erica Courtney, Inc.; Alishan Halebian, owner/designer, Alishan; and Katey Brunini, owner/designer, K. Brunini Jewels.

That panel will be followed by “Creative Careers,” an opportunity for attendees to hear from panelists who have channeled their varied interests into interesting and unusual careers in the gem and jewelry industry. The panel will be moderated by Mark Smelzer, publisher, JCK magazine and JCKonline.com. Panelists will include: Douglas Hucker, chief executive officer, American Gem Trade Association; Amy Helein, salvage specialist, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company; Steve Mindel, managing partner, head of business transactions department, Feinberg, Mindel, Brandt & Klein, LLP; and Chris George, store manager for Van Cleef & Arpels.

“Given the current economic climate, we think this year’s Career Fair is more important and relevant than ever,” said Kathryn Kimmel, GIA vice president, chief marketing officer and co-founder of the GIA Career Fair. “Whether it’s an established professional looking to enhance his or her career or those seeking insight and guidance about entering the field, Career Fair can be a valuable vehicle for reaching one’s goals.”

The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and registration is free. The agenda will feature on-site recruiting, one-on-one career coaching, panel discussions, classroom demonstrations and gem and jewelry exhibits.

Employers who would like to recruit at this year’s Career Fair can sign up with the online registration form, contact GIA’s Career Services office at (800) 421-7250, ext. 4093, or email kimberly.northup@gia.edu.

Job seekers can call GIA’s Jewelry Career Fair hotline at (800) 421-7250, ext. 4100, or email careerfair@gia.edu. For more information, visit www.careerfair.gia.edu.

GIA’s Jewelry Career Fair was founded in 1991 by GIA and the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California, who is also a sponsor.