¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ junior Stephanie Newton successfully juggles a tough schedule that includes taking classes in hospitality management, while raising four children and working several campus Dining Servicesâ jobs.
It is no surprise that she does not have the resources to build the professional wardrobe needed to successfully interview for internships that will bring her closer to her dream of owning a restaurant.
Fortunately, the ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ Career Closet stepped up to fill the gap for Ms. Newton.
The Career Closet collects, organizes and distributes professional attire that has been donated by faculty, staff and alumni to help university students dress for the success for which their education is preparing them.
This free boutique in ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍâs Womenâs Center provides students and alumni with up to three items of clothing every semester, and the only requirement is to show their FLASHcard.
Since the Career Closet launched in March in the lower level of Williamson House, 55 student shoppers have received professional clothing and almost 30 donors have contributed, says Alicia Robinson, assistant director of the Womenâs Center.
When Ms. Newton had an interview to work in the area of student registration for Destination ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ last spring, she went to the Career Closet and found a navy blue jacket and skirt, a light blue blouse and kitten heels.
She aced the interview and got the job.
âWhen I applied for the position for Destination ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ, I saw how they were dressed and I wanted to mimic that,â Ms. Newton recalls. âThe supervisors that interviewed me were amazed by my transformation because they are only used to seeing me in my dining servicesâ attire. To say that my confidence went out of the roof is an understatement.â
The ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ Career Closet is a collaboration between the Womenâs Center, LaunchNET ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ and Career Exploration and Development. Tabitha Martin, venture initiatives advisor at LaunchNET ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ, says the idea was conceived last year at the grand opening of the Womenâs Center when someone said they have career clothing that they no longer use.
âWe were in a great big space,â Ms. Martin says. âI said, âWouldn't it be a nice thing to have career clothing for students here? I roped in Alicia (Robinson) and brought Career Exploration in. Instead of talking about it, I said, âLetâs do this.â We were shocked. There were alums calling and emailing and asking if they could ship clothing.â
When students live in jeans, leggings and sweats, not many of them have $50 to buy a blazer. There is no stigma to come to the Career Closet, Ms. Martin says.
âAnyone can come and shop and get three things. If the clothes donât work, come back and swap them out. We keep things modern and professional.â
The need for students to have access to professional clothing has been a conversation between ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ departments that serve students and departments that can provide a venue of support, says Patty Robinson, director of TRIO Upward Health Professions and Math Science in ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍâs Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She says when ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍâs faculty and staff newsletter e-Inside announced the collaboration, she shared the new resource with Upward Bound alumni.
âThis initiative is one way that the university is placing students first,â Ms. Robinson says. âThe donation process is multifaceted â my donation not only supplied the closet, but it allowed me to open up my closet and invite someone in. It is more than clothing. It is a mindset.â
Nichole DeCaprio, associate counsel in ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍâs Office of General Counsel, says donating to the Career Closet is an easy way to invest in the success of the universityâs students.
âProfessional clothes can be expensive, but they go a long way in making a good impression on potential employers,â Ms. DeCaprio says. âIf my contribution can help make a studentâs job search a little easier, then Iâm happy to do it. The Womenâs Center is providing a great resource for students, and I would encourage other faculty or staff to consider donating.â
Ms. Robinson says the Career Closet is in need of small and curvier sizes, as well as clothing racks for pop-up shops, such as the one that was held in September at the Internship, Co-Op and Career Fair. And one of its long-term goals is to find a sponsor for dry cleaning.
And recently, the Career Closet started a small section of suit jackets, ties and shirts for men.
âItâs coming together beautifully,â Ms. Robinson says. âItâs creating a buzz. Itâs coming full circle. People are saying, âOh, I got this from the Career Closet, and I wore it to a job interview. I got the job.ââ
The Career Closet is one of several new programs making a difference in the lives of students and alumni under the universityâs Career Exploration and Development.
For more information about the Career Closet and other programs to help students succeed in the business world and beyond, visit www.kent.edu/womenscenter/career-closet or call 330-672-2360.