August 03, 2016
College seeks donations for its new ‘Career Closet’
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The College of Business at Southern Illinois University Carbondale wants to make sure its students are ready for career success in every way possible.
That’s why the college is creating a Career Closet where students can borrow nice business attire to wear for interviews or other professional purposes. With the slogan “support a suit,” the college is now seeking donations of new or like-new business clothing, including suits and dress shirts and blouses of all sizes, as well as ties. They are seeking only clothing that would be appropriate for interviews and other business functions. Donated items should be in very good condition, since the goal is helping students look the part, college officials said.
“We have a large number of students who are first-generation college students and some of our students arrive on campus without professional clothing. We provide them with a great education and now we also want to make sure they don’t miss out on any job or other professional opportunities due to not having proper attire,” Danna Lewis, director of Career Services for the College of Business, said.
In the coming weeks, a room in Rehn Hall will be converted into the College of Business Career Closet. Business students will be able to visit the closet weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and borrow complete business suits or just the pieces that they need. There is no cost to the students and the loan is for up to one week. The college is also planning to purchase additional clothing items so it has a variety of sizes for all students. The college will also cover dry-cleaning costs as needed.
To make a donation, visit the Business Placement Center in Room 113 at Rehn Hall or mail business clothing to the Business Placement Center, 1025 Lincoln Drive, Mail Code 4619, Carbondale, Ill., 62902.
For more information, contact Lewis at 618/453-2710 or by email at danna.lewis@business.siu.edu.