Pearls and Paychecks, Opals and Opportunities

    CARLSBAD, Calif., Sept. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- On Oct. 27, 2006, the
 Gemological Institute of America (GIA) will host its West Coast Jewelry
 Career Fair and Open House from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Institute's
 headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif.
     Hundreds of GIA students, seasoned professionals, and entry-level job
 seekers are expected to converge on GIA's Robert Mouawad Campus to meet
 some of the industry's most prominent employers, including Tiffany & Co.,
 Whitehall Jewelers, Zale Corp., and Movado. These job recruiters come to
 Career Fair to showcase scores of exciting employment opportunities and
 conduct preliminary interviews of interested candidates.
     Job seekers can also jumpstart their careers by meeting the many
 industry VIPs who volunteer at Career Fair each year to offer advice and
 insight into what it takes to succeed in this diverse and rewarding field.
 One-on-one career coaching, professional development seminars, and
 networking with the trade's key players are some of the benefits available
 to job seekers who attend this industry-wide job fair.
     Prominent experts like Huw Daniel of Platinum Guild International, Matt
 Runci of Jewelers of America and Mary Todd-McGinnis of Ben Bridge Jewelers
 will discuss the latest hiring trends in key industry sectors and offer
 tips about what makes a job seeker more competitive and marketable in
 today's business environment.
     Job seekers will also hear from employment industry expert Phil Blair,
 executive officer of Manpower of San Diego. Blair appears frequently in
 local business publications and television and speaks candidly about the
 "dos and don'ts" of finding, interviewing, and securing a job.
     Now in its 16th year, the GIA's Jewelry Career Fair was established to
 provide a meeting ground for industry employers and talented job seekers
 who have the commitment, skills and training to succeed in careers in the
 jewelry industry. "GIA was instrumental in getting me where I am today,"
 says Rahul Kadakia, G.G. and senior vice president, head of jewelry
 department for Christie's, "It was through the Career Fair that I was able
 to secure a position as graduate trainee at Christie's London."
     The Carlsbad event is also an opportunity for those who are interested
 in gems and jewelry, and GIA itself, to tour the Institute's campus and
 museum exhibits, attend classroom demonstrations, and learn about GIA's
 educational services.
     To learn more about Career Fair either as a job seeker or employer,
 please visit www.careerfair.gia.edu.
     Employers can also contact Dani Oliver, GIA Career Services Manager, at
 800-421-7250, ext. 4195, or e-mail her at careerservices@gia.edu.
     Job seekers can also call the GIA Jewelry Career Fair hotline at
 800-421-7250, ext. 4100, or e-mail Careerfair@gia.edu.
     Career Fair was founded by GIA and The Jewelers 24 Karat Club of
 Southern California. The JCK Publishing Group and The Jewelers 24 Karat
 Club of Southern California are the prime sponsors for GIA's West Coast
 Career Fair.
     About GIA
     An independent nonprofit organization, the Gemological Institute of
 America (GIA) is recognized as the world's foremost authority in gemology.
 Established in 1931, GIA has translated its expert knowledge into the most
 respected gemological education available. In 1953, the Institute created
 the International Diamond Grading System(TM) which, today, is recognized by
 virtually every professional jeweler in the world. Through research,
 education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the
 Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by
 upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and
 professionalism.
 
 

SOURCE Gemological Institute of America