Immaculata University launches the Career Closet to provide students with free professional clothing, enhancing their confidence and interview readiness.
Job interviews can generate a significant amount of stress for candidates, with many factors weighing heavily on their minds, including their qualifications, experiences, and perhaps most visibly, their attire. Recognizing the pivotal role that professional clothing plays in job interviews, Heidi Harrison, the director of career and professional development at Immaculata University, emphasizes the importance of dressing well. “Dressing professionally for an interview has several benefits, including making a positive first impression, showing respect and professionalism, and setting you apart from your competition,” she explained in a conversation with Main Line Today. Harrison also added that professional attire can significantly boost a candidate’s confidence, stating, “When you look good, you feel good. Your confidence level goes up and can help you perform better during the interview.”
However, Harrison notes that for many students, affording such professional clothing can be a challenge. To address this issue, she initiated the Career Closet at Immaculata University, which offers free, gently used professional attire to students. “Our clothing is free, thus reducing the financial burden on students and ensuring that all students, regardless of financial background, have equal opportunities to make a strong first impression in professional settings,” she said. The Career Closet officially opened its doors on March 6, offering valuable resources to students preparing to enter the job market.
In support of the Career Closet and addressing the financial barriers students face, the faculty and students involved in Immaculata University’s annual fashion show are taking proactive steps. Organized by the school’s Fashion Merchandising program and the student-run IU Fashion Group, the event focuses on sustainability while contributing to the community. The show aims to encapsulate the spirit of ‘reduce, reuse, and recycle,’ aligning it closely with the mission of the Career Closet.
Lina Castro, program director of fashion merchandising, articulated the significance of the fashion show, indicating that it serves a dual purpose. “All the efforts that we are putting into this fashion show in support of the Career Closet will not only highlight the importance of this resource but also celebrate the diversity and ambition of our student body,” she stated.
As the spring season approaches, community members are encouraged to participate in supporting the Career Closet by donating gently used professional clothing. The annual fashion show offers a platform for students to showcase their designs alongside local designers, further bridging the gap between education and community support for aspiring professionals. For details about the event and how to support the Career Closet, updates are available on the fashion group’s Instagram account, @iufashiongroup.
Source: Noah Wire Services
