From suits to shoes, students can find everything they need to step into their next career opportunity at the Career Clothing Closet pop-up on Nov. 5.
The Wayne State College chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is hosting a Career Clothing Closet pop-up on Nov. 5. Students can go to room 326 in the Brandenburg Education building from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to pick and take home gently worn professional clothes to prepare for the next steps in their careers.
“We are reducing landfill waste and promoting environmental sustainability all while helping our college students here at Wayne State College prepare for interviews and career fairs,” Kelly Legler, the FBLA advisor, said. “Just building their confidence by giving them nice clothes to wear to their next interview.”
All the clothes that FBLA is giving away have been donated by community members and local businesses, including Micah’s Closet, Herman Chiropractic, State Nebraska Bank and Elkhorn Valley Bank. The club also set out boxes around campus for donations from the community.
“A lot of our clothing comes from us posting advertisements asking if anyone has any business attire that they didn’t need,” Carlye Kresl, the FBLA Career Clothing Closet committee chair, said. “We are also very lucky, because when Swans retail store closed, they donated us some hangers, and we also got some clothing racks from them.”
The Career Clothing Closet has grown a lot since its early days, having to move multiple times to gain a bigger, more permanent spot.
“We used to do our pop-ups in the Wayne food pantry,” Legler said. “Now that they are so big, we have to have our own permanent space in Brandenburg.”
FBLA runs the closet completely through volunteers. Whether it’s sorting clothes or helping students browse the options, students can volunteer at the closet, regardless of their membership in FBLA.
“Any of our FBLA members, and even just students on campus, are welcome to come and help any way that they can,” Kresl said.
For those who cannot make it to this pop-up, FBLA plans to put on more throughout the school year, including the next one on Dec. 3. WSC Career Services can also open the closet for anyone who needs professional attire when there are no pop-ups coming up.