Written by: Ceylin Arias / Staff Writer
A new program created by Career and Talent Development, FIU’s student and alumni career resource, known as “Career Clothing Closet” is calling for all Panthers to urgently donate gently used business attires.
The Career Clothing Closet launched on Jan. 30. Their goal is to dedicate itself to better meet the needs of students who cannot afford to buy the clothing needed for interviews and career fairs.
Before students are allowed to keep a suit students must first go through a series of steps according to Mercedes Dericho, a Career Clothing Closet consultant at BBC.
“The program is tailored to encourage career development and as such, in order for students to qualify they must first start by bringing in their resumes to have it critiqued by Career and Talent Development,” Dericho said to Student Media. “After completing this step, students are asked to take at least three career development programs. They range from a variety of subjects including how students can advertise themselves professionally.”
Dericho says that upon completion of these steps, students are asked to make an appointment with a Career Clothing Closet consultant for a fitting.
During the appointment students can choose to take one full suit or separate clothing pieces including ties, jackets, pants, etc. However, students are only allowed to take up to 4 different clothing pieces at a time.
If the student desires, they may keep the attire. However, students are only allowed to go through this process to receive a new set of clothes once per semester.
Dericho says that personal experience taught her to be conscientious of people who cannot afford to spend on new business attire but still want to participate in career fairs and have the opportunity to go to interviews properly dressed.
“One time, I was excited about attending a career fair. I had everything prepared including my resume but because I wasn’t dressed appropriately I wasn’t allowed in. What I went through made me realize that I’m not the only student going through this issue and this encouraged me to take action for students that are at a disadvantage because they cannot afford such a luxury,” she said. “Students shouldn’t have to be turned away because of this and instead they should be given free resources and options to help them succeed along the way.”
Elery Rojas, a Career Clothing Closet consultant at MMC, told FIU News the program is a way to encourage students to use the resources offered by Career and Talent Services.
“They then put these skills into practice by attending job and internship interviews, and potentially landing career opportunities,” Rojas said to FIU News.
Both Dericho and Rojas say the program can only continue if members of the community are pitching in. The Career Clothing Closet program is in need of expanding their inventory, according to FIU News.
Dericho says that acceptable donations must meet three requirements.
“Professional attire must be no more than 5 years old, must be dry-cleaned at the time of donation, and lastly, have no visible signs of wear such as stains or tears and just overall be in good condition,” Dericho told Student Media.
Donations can be made at MMC in Student Academic Success Center Room 305 and BBC in Wolfe University Center Room 225.
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons
About Post Author
