The Gemological Institute of America announced its speaker roster for this year’s Jewelry Career Fair and Open House, a notable industry recruiting event. It will be held on October 16 at GIA’s world headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif.
The one-day-only opportunity aims to connect companies with qualified job seekers, and provides a free, open forum for participants to receive advice on what it takes to succeed in the gem and jewelry industry. Panel discussions, one-on-one career coaching sessions, and networking with key trade players are additional benefits.
This year’s GIA Jewelry Career Fair panel sessions and speakers include:
Job Success in Today’s Market, led by Donna Baker, GIA president and CEO. Panelists include Michael O’Connor, jewelry and style expert, and consultant to Platinum Guild International; Douglas K. Hucker, CEO of the American Gem Trade Association; and Mary Todd-McGinnis, vice president of sales and e-commerce for Ben Bridge Jeweler.
From Design to Finish, a panel discussion detailing the specifics, such as manufacturing, marketing and negotiating, of working as a jewelry designer. Panelists include John Matty, store manager for Roberto Coin and Martin Katz boutiques; Erica Courtney, president of Erica Courtney; and Ricardo Basta, manufacturer at E. Eichberg, Inc., and designer for Ricardo Basta Fine Jewelry.
Creative Careers, a panel of jewelry professionals will discuss how creativity made a difference in their careers. Panelists include Dawn Moore, general manager of Mikimoto Beverly Hills; Au-Co Mai, president and CEO of Emitations.com; Steve Mindel, managing partner of Feinberg, Mindel, Brandt & Klein, LLP; and Danusia Niklewicz, senior appraiser for Paradise Associates.
More than 20 industry individuals, including Becka Johnson-Kibby, training manager for Robbins Bros., and Paul Klecka, designers, will be on hand to act as career coaches for job seekers.
Visitors can tour the GIA Museum exhibits and classroom demonstrations without a prearranged date during the Open House.
Employers interested in recruiting at this year’s Career Fair can contact GIA’s Career Services office at (800) 421-7250, ext. 7303, or e-mail anna.hayman@gia.edu.
Job seekers can call the Career Fair hotline at (800) 421-7250, ext. 4100, or e-mail careerfair@gia.edu. For more information, visit www.careerfair.gia.edu.
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