Students will be able to borrow clothing for career fairs, interviews or other professional and social events before the end of spring 2016 semester. The Emory Career Center has partnered with the Emory College Council and Enterprise Rent-a-Car to establish the Emory Enterprise Community Clothing Closet to provide professional attire to students.
“Unfortunately, many students do not consider the need for professional dress when packing for college and do not have immediate access to a suit — thus finding themselves excluded from significant educational and professional opportunities,” says Paul Fowler, executive director of the Emory Career Center.
“Before now, the only options were to borrow a suit — and hope it fits — or invest in the purchase of a suit which can be quite costly," he notes. "While housed in the Career Center, the clothing closet is a true community resource for all student professional attire needs.”
The idea of this initiative began when Emory College Council senior legislator and applied mathematics major Ankita Shirahatti approached the Emory Career Center to bring this need to their attention.
"On College Council, our job as representatives of students in the College of Arts and Sciences is to advocate for our constituent's needs and work with administrators to create needed change,” she explains. “The Career Center was an enthusiastic and effective partner in recognizing the gap in supporting students who may not be able to afford a suit or find one in time for a professional event.”
Enterprise Rent-a-Car provided the necessary funding to create this resource.
“Everyone deserves a chance to land their dream career, and students’ attire should not be a barrier to reaching their goals,” says LaToya Barnaby, talent acquisition specialist at Enterprise Rent-a-Car. “We want to see all students succeed.”
The Emory Clothing Closet is currently accepting donations of gently used professional attire for men and women, including suits, professional jacks, slacks, ties, dress socks, hosiery, business shoes and other items.
Donate Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Emory Career Center front desk, which is located in the B. Jones Center, second floor.