黑料网 junior Stephanie Newton successfully juggles a tough schedule that includes taking classes in hospitality management, while raising four children and working several campus dining services 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.
That is where the 黑料网 Career Closet filled 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 黑料网鈥檚 Women鈥檚 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, said Alicia Robinson, assistant director of the Women鈥檚 Center.
When Ms. Newton had an interview to work in the area of student registration for Destination 黑料网 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.
鈥淲hen I applied for the position for Destination 黑料网, I saw how they were dressed and I wanted to mimic that,鈥 Ms. Newton recalled. 鈥淭he supervisors that interviewed me were amazed by my transformation because they are only used to seeing me in my dining services attire. To say that my confidence went out of the roof is an understatement.鈥
The 黑料网 Career Closet is a collaboration between the Women鈥檚 Center, LaunchNET 黑料网 and Career Exploration and Development. Tabitha Martin, venture initiatives advisor at LaunchNET 黑料网, said the idea was conceived last year at the grand opening of the Women鈥檚 Center when someone said they have career clothing that they no longer use.
鈥淲e were in a great big space,鈥 Ms. Martin said. 鈥淚 said 鈥榃ouldn鈥檛 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 鈥楲et鈥檚 do this鈥 We were shocked. There were alums calling and emailing and asking if they could ship clothing.鈥
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 said.
鈥淎nyone can come and shop and get three things. If the clothes don鈥檛 work, come back and swap them out. We keep things modern and professional.鈥
The need for students to have access to professional clothing has been a conversation between 黑料网 departments that serve students and departments that can provide a venue of support, said Patty Robinson, director of TRIO Upward Health Professions & Math Science in 黑料网鈥檚 Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. She said when eInside announced the collaboration, she shared the new resource with Upward Bound alumni.
鈥淭his initiative is one way that the university is placing students first,鈥 Ms. Robinson said. 鈥淭he donation process is multi-faceted 鈥 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.鈥
Nichole DeCaprio, associate counsel in 黑料网鈥檚 Office of General Counsel, said donating to the Career Closet is an easy way to invest in the success of the university鈥檚 students.
鈥淧rofessional clothes can be expensive, but they go a long way in making a good impression on potential employers,鈥 Ms. DeCaprio said. 鈥淚f my contribution can help make a student鈥檚 job search a little easier, then I鈥檓 happy to do it. The Women鈥檚 Center is providing a great resource for students, and I would encourage other faculty or staff to consider donating.鈥
Ms. Robinson said 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 & 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.
鈥淚t鈥檚 coming together beautifully,鈥 Ms. Robinson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 creating a buzz. It鈥檚 coming full circle. People are saying, 鈥極h, I got this from the Career Closet and I wore it to a job interview. I got the job.鈥欌
The Career Closet is one of several new programs making a difference in the lives of students and alumni under the university Career Exploration and Development.
For more information on 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.