News and Events
[printer friendly version]posted on 9/19/07
New Career Closet at Saint Joseph's College Dresses Students for Success
Students at Saint Joseph's College utilize the new Career Closet at the Career Development Center.
Posted: September 19, 2007
It may not be a hot new boutique with the latest in campus fashions, but Saint Joseph's College students now have the opportunity to "shop" in the new Career Closet located in the College's Career Development Center on the second floor of the Halleck Student Center. The Career Closet was instituted this year to give students access to the professional attire they will need for interviews, networking events, and career fairs.
So far, SJC faculty and staff members have made many donations of gently used clothing items, including men's and women's suits, slacks, skirts, blazers, suit coats, shirts, blouses, ties, shoes, and purses in a variety of sizes.
"A lot of other colleges and universities have Career Closets," explained Donna Brody, Director of SJC's Career Development Center and supervisor of the Career Closet. "I think it's a very helpful tool to offer to our students, and it leaves them with one less stressor in their busy academic lives."
To "shop" in the Career Closet, students should make an appointment by calling (219) 866-6188 or simply stop by the Career Development Center on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. CST. Shoppers are allowed to view the clothing and try on items privately as needed. Each student is able to choose one complete outfit - for instance: a suit, blouse, shoes, and purse. There is no charge for clothing, and students are free to keep their new outfits. Students must try on the clothing during their initial visit, as no exchanges can be made later.
Brody has come across several instances during her tenure at SJC in which students participating in interviews and mock interviews would have benefited from an opportunity to visit the Closet. "We've had several students take advantage of this service so far, and I expect many more will be visiting when other Career Development Center activities start coming up," she said. Brody believes the Closet will be useful not only to interview-bound students, but also to those individuals who need to attend other professional academic events, such as an internship or practicum requirement.
The Career Development Center will be sponsoring a number of activities this year that will require professional clothing, such as Accounting Interview Day on September 21, College Talent Recruitment Day on February 20, Teacher Candidate Interview Day in April, and SJC's own Career Fair during the spring semester. Depending on student interest, bus trips will be organized to attend at least one graduate school fair and additional job fairs in Chicago and Indianapolis. Visit the Career Development Web site at www.saintjoe.edu/careers for more information or contact Brody at (219) 866-6188.
Saint Joseph's College, named a "character-building college" by the Templeton Foundation and a "best Midwestern college" by the Princeton Review, is a four-year, Catholic, liberal arts college offering 74 major, minor, and pre-professional programs. Founded and sponsored by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, SJC is located in Rensselaer, Indiana, approximately 90 minutes from both Chicago and Indianapolis, on a park-like campus of 180 acres and has an enrollment of over 1,000 students.
