Career Discovery Success Stories – Annamarie Kostura

Bridging Into a New Career

After many years as a television executive in Los Angeles, Annamarie was ready for a change. She became interested in the world of marketing and public relations. A lifetime enjoyment of wine narrowed her focus even more. Annamarie read about the CIA's Career Discovery – The Professional World of Wine in a Food & Wine article. In her research, she discovered that the CIA's programs were considered "the Harvard" of not only culinary, but also of wine education.

Once Annamarie had a chance to enroll in the career discovery program, she found the sensory analysis classrooms and the level of focus in the information and wine tastings to be superb. "My background as an executive helped me understand how well organized and comprehensive this class was," notes Annamarie. "It provided brushstrokes of the business of wine—from marketing and retail to correct wine tasting procedures, food and wine pairing, and visits to vineyards."

Back in LA, Annamarie found a position with Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro in Santa Barbara, promoting their special wine-related events and working with the company's two vineyard properties, LaFond Winery and Santa Barbara Winery. "Taking Career Discovery – The Professional World of Wine has given me new confidence in talking about and marketing wine. It has given me a great bridge into my new career," notes Annamarie.

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