Career Closet helps students find professional looks
When it’s time to interview for a job, it helps to look professional, but finding the right look can be difficult and expensive for students. That’s where Texas A&M University-Victoria’s Career Closet comes in.
The Career Closet is a free resource that allows students to borrow or keep professional clothing when they are preparing for interviews for job positions, internships or other important events that require a clean-cut, professional look. It was initially created in 2017 in conjunction with the JP’s Market student food pantry. Recently, the Career Closet and JP’s Market have moved into Don & Mona Smith Hall at 3202 N. Ben Wilson St., and an official opening is planned for later in March.
“The new Career Closet location looks amazing, and we are grateful to the Facilities Team who helped make this possible,” said Hannah Hayward, director of Student Services. “They played an integral part in the move by removing items from the previous career closet location and reinstalling them in the new location. In addition, they constructed the changing room and made additions above what we were expecting. Their contributions were significant to the success of this project, and they are more than deserving of recognition.”
The closet features a collection of men’s and women’s outfits, including suits, dress shirts, women’s blouses, dresses, ties, belts and more, said Madison Rosalez, case manager and health education in Student Services. The items in the closet were donated by community members. The closet tends to go through women’s clothing faster than men’s, and Rosalez dreams of being able to expand the closet to include accessories such as jewelry and handbags.
“Many universities have a closet similar to this, and we are proud to offer this service to our students,” Rosalez said. “It’s amazing to see how the students find creative ways to style the clothing and create lovely looks. Moving into this new space has been an amazing process, and I can’t wait to see how many students we will be able to assist in the future.”
In addition to the clothing, the Career Closet has signs on the wall that offer tips and encouragement for students who are looking for professional clothing. The new location also includes a dressing room so students can try on the clothing there instead of taking it up to their room and having to return later if something doesn’t fit properly.
“I want our students to be able to look good and feel good as they prepare for interviews,” she said. “It’s important for them to have that boost of confidence as they begin their journey into the professional world.”
Items donated to the Career Closet should be professional or smart casual. Any donations that do not fit the purpose of the closet will be donated to other local nonprofits that supply clothing to individuals in need. To make a donation, reach out to Rosalez at rosalezmn@tamuv.edu or (361) 485-4408.
Texas A&M University-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the colleges of Business, Education & Health Professions, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, and Natural & Applied Science. A&M-Victoria provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as online classes that students can take from anywhere. The university supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.