January 26, 2012
Spouse Symposium & Career Fair 2012
“Keeping a Career on the Move”
Thursday, January 26
San Diego Convention Center
Watch video highlights from the event.
Co-produced by the Military Officers Association of America and Blue Star Families, this is the preeminent event for military spouses. Whether you’re looking for a job now or preparing for a future career you’ll find workshops, experts and employers who can help. Sponsored by TriWest Healthcare Alliance and held in conjunction with West 2012, the event is free and open to all military spouses. Service members and veterans are also welcome.
Thank you to our Signature Sponsor

Thank you to our Event partners
Additional support for Career Fair provided by
MOAA Partners
Schedule
Ballroom 6C
9:00AM
Welcome Address
VADM Norb Ryan, Jr. USN-Ret., President
Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)
Mistress of Ceremonies
Ms. Lea Sutton
Military Reporter
NBC 7 San Diego
9:10 – 10:30
Employer Panel: Five Things Employers Want You to Know
What does a hiring manager look for in a résumé? What mistake should every military spouse avoid? How much should you share about your military life in an interview? From a panel of employers, learn the top tips on landing a job as a military spouse.
Moderator:
Stephanie Himel-Nelson, Esq.
Communications Director
Blue Star Families
Panelists:
Cindy Alanis
Senior Recruiter, CSC
Karen Bricklemyer
CEO and President
United Way of the Midlands
Pamela Green, SPHR
Vice President
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Sara Sperling
Diversity & Inclusion Programs
Facebook
Break
10:40 – 12:00
Workshop
Build your brand: Your Dependable Strengths
What’s your “brand”? Whether you’re employed outside the home, paid or not, you’re gaining experiences that make you stand out to an employer. At this session you’ll go through a unique process to uncover what you love and do best by looking at every aspect of your life – from volunteering, to parenting, to hobbies, to jobs. Learn how to market yourself better no matter where you are in your career.
Close
Scott Celley, VP External Affairs
TriWest Healthcare Alliance
Exhibit Hall - Hall C
12:30 – 1:30
Lunch
SFC Leroy Petry, USA
2011 Medal of Honor recipient
in a conversation with
David Hartman
former host of Good Morning America
Upper Level Ballroom 6D
Additional support provided by GovX
Military Spouse and Veteran Career Fair
1:00 - 4:00
Brought to you by MOAA, Blue Star Families and the San Diego Chapter of AFCEA. Military spouses, transitioning service members and veterans are welcome.
Concurrent Sessions:
Information Session: Capitol Hill Q&A
From education to employment, there are policies from the White House to your state designed to support your life in the military. Stop by this area at your leisure to ask four experts about legislation, healthcare, employment and education for military families.
Available 1:30 - 3:30
Seminar: The Dollars and "Sense" of Working Outside the Home
This seminar walks you through a common sense approach evaluating the financial and non-financial pros and cons to working outside the home, including analyzing how much you will really bring home after all your expenses. Plus special updates on the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
2:15 – 3:00
(Ballroom 1B)
Employers: There is no charge to exhibit at the career fair. Space is currently full. Contact us to be placed on a waitlist for exhibiting at this event.
Participating employers