“Professional Dress” Career Closet Aids Students in Securing the Perfect Job and Internship
“It was an early spring day when the student received a phone call informing her that she had received the internship with a top financial government agency. Excitement filled the Office of Career Services because the student had put her best foot forward. However, later that week ,I received a disturbing phone call from the recruiter indicating that the student had no professional dress attire to wear to the internship, and could not afford to buy any professional clothing. I used my personal funds to purchase new clothes for the student. Later that day, I realized that there was a possibility that other students could be facing this similar problem, so I took action. This incident occurred in Spring 2003, and marked the beginning of the Virginia Union University Career Closet.”
I begin solicitations for professional dress attire not being used by faculty, staff and alumni. Letters were written to local businesses, fraternities and sororities. The response was great and clothing donations begin to pour in; professional dress attire for men and women in all sizes and basic colors to include black , gray and navy blue began to fill the designated room located in the Office of Career Services now known as the Career Closet. The word was out, and phones would ring all day with calls on how to donate to the Career Closet. A major women’s retailer donated clothes racks and mannequins to display clothes. Within a two month time frame the Career Closet was ready for its grand opening in August 2003. This initiative was an incredible milestone.
To this day, the Career Closet provides male and female suits, dress shirts, ties, dress shoes, pantyhose, brief cases, handbags, and serves more than 100 students each year. Students that wish to borrow clothes from the Career Closet fill out an application and consent form. Borrowed clothing must be return within 3 to 5 business days after the interview date, and be professionally dry cleaned. The Office of Career Services provides students with coupons for 15% off with a local dry cleaner. Further, the Career Closet now provides students with formal attire as well.
As the economy weakens, there will be more demands from college students who seek assistance with job placement. Days are long gone for Career Centers to only provide job opportunities, but will have go an extra mile to help students secure good jobs and internships. Furthermore, during these tough economic times the percentage of students not having money for professional dress attire will increase and perhaps the Career Closet maybe something that Career Centers at other colleges and universities may want to consider.