Demand for ‘dressing to impress’ prompts professor to create closet to aid students
DEANS LE
News Writing Student
A student’s closet filled with only jeans and T-shirts can be a barrier in the business world.
Students need to go into a job interview “dressed to impress,” said Lisa Adkins, Administrative Office Technology professor.
Unfortunately, Adkins said, some students lack the funds to purchase formal business attire.
Luckily, Adkins is working to aid students.
For that reason, Adkins is working to debut the Business Clothes Closet next semester for students who need, but can’t afford, business clothing, she said.
Adkins said she is accepting donations of lightly used or new clothes.
“Nothing is too small; nothing is too big,” she said.
Adkins said the donations can include shoes, jewelry, hosiery, long socks, ties, and about anything else appropriate for the business world.
She said she needs clothing for both men and women.
Whether it’s a job interview or showing up to a business gathering, Adkins said, looking professional is a key to making a good impression.
She said men should keep it simple with a dress shirt, tie, coat, slacks and dress shoes.
For women, the current style is slacks, blouse, business jacket, simple jewelry and shoes with about a one- or two-inch high heel.
The clothes will be reserved for business graduates in the beginning, Adkins said.
She said she is still looking for an appropriate room for the closet.
As of now, the storage room only has a few clothes hanging up with the others still in their boxes.
For students to receive clothes, they must be graduating and be nominated by a business professor.
Anita Williams, department chair of Banking, Finance and Insurance, said the business faculty fully supports the idea.
Business graduates needing attire after they graduate may soon be able to fill out an application and submit it to Adkins.
The distribution process is still in the works, Adkins said.
“It is just one more step that the business faculty is taking to help our students achieve their dreams — something beyond the educational side of what we do.”
Adkins said she also is looking for dry cleaning owners who are willing to help sponsor the Business Clothes Closet by drying cleaning the donated suits and dresses.
Donors can receive a tax receipt, which they may be able to use as a tax deduction when they file their taxes, Adkins said.
“It’s my goal to have it ready for spring graduates,” she said.
For more information, contact Adkins at 405-682-1611, ext. 7235, or e-mail ladkins@occc.edu.
