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Clothing drive helps students dress for success


Dalton McHargue / Mainstream
Davon Wood, Melanie Bryson, Amber McMurtrey and Tyler Digby are collecting donations for career clothing to help students prepare for job interviews.

Free career clothing is available for all UCC students on a first come basis on June 3 thanks to UCC students Tyler Digby, Amber McMurtrey, Davon Wood and Melanie Bryson who created a clothing drive as their final project for the course HD107, Practicing Success: Emotional Intelligence.

The clothing drive in the main lobby of the student center from 2:30 to 5 p.m. will provide students  with clean, professional, gently used clothing such as dresses, slacks, suits, button-up shirts, ties, polos and maybe even shoes.

“This clothing drive is going to help me broaden my opportunities. First impressions are important for job interviews, and they can be the difference between getting the job or not getting the job,” Kalee Paxton, a second year Natural Resource major said.

Paxton said that she hopes to find something nice that can improve her chances of finding a good job. Paxton expects to see anything from blouses and ties to blazers and shoes. “I expect all types of clothing,” said Paxton. “There are different levels of professionalism.”

Forbes Magazine agrees with Paxton. Jacquelyn Smith, a Forbes staff member, found in her studies that many hiring managers believe that the people who dress appropriately for the job interview are more likely to receive the job.

Mark Strong, a life career and executive coach, reminds us that appropriate dress attire will vary by industry. “Dress a half step up from what the typical daily dress is for that given industry,” Strong suggested.

For anyone wanting to get involved, the HD107 students are looking for more donations. To donate, go to the UCC campus with the donation and drop it off in the ESB building on any weekday. Donations will be accepted up to May 29.

“It will be beneficial to anybody on campus that can’t afford newer clothing, that can help you get a job, or keep a job by looking professional,” Melanie Bryson, a student involved in the clothing drive said.

The HD107 course is taught by Brent Lewis and by Asia R. Deweese. The clothing drive project was done in Lewis’s class.