Career Services Boutique Clothing Drive

 

SLCC Career Services clothing boutique located in the Student Center.

A student recently came into Career Services looking for help. She was applying for a customer service job but had no professional attire. She didn't know what to wear to her first interview. 

Career coaches took her to a room full of dresses, suits and shoes, helped her pick out what to wear and prepared her for what she would need to be successful in a job interview. It all started with the clothes and moved into a mock interview that helped her gain the confidence to get the job. 

“We have first-generation students and refugee students that come in for their first job in the US, which is a lot different than back in their country. We help them with whatever barriers that they may have and help ease those fears they may have with trying to find employment because it can be intimidating,” says Dan Hooten, one of the career coaches at Career Services.

Career Services houses a backroom full of gently used professional wear from suits to handbags, items that students need for job interviews. The Career Boutique is a free service offered through the Career Services and opened right before the pandemic to help students in need. 

“As a department, we really thought that there was a need for career clothes. We saw that as a hindrance for students to obtain employment, so we wanted them to get in and look at the type of clothes that we offer,” says Dan. “We are always thinking about the end goal, that once they leave Salt Lake Community College, is employment and to better their lives.” 

The Career Boutique offers professional clothing, shoes and accessories for students in need.

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) club has partnered with Environment and Sustainability club for a professional clothing drive for the Career Boutique. The idea behind the clothing drive was to organize a service project that provides extra support to those looking for employment. They decided to host it after the holidays since people would be cleaning out their closets and getting rid of clothes they no longer wear. 

There is a current need for new and gently used women's professional wear such as blazers, dress suits, skirts and pants in various sizes. They are always in need of men’s dress shirts and ties, particularly in solid colors, white, black and blue. Make sure they are clean, washed and pressed before bringing items in. They can take cash donations and gift cards to purchase those newer needed items such as nylons and socks. They are also always in need of hangers and bags. 

“This clothing drive is to provide more support for students who need it. It’s about empowering students to feel confident and to feel good about the way they look, how they dress and to help them to be successful,” says Bonnie Ogden, Engineering Success coach, who assists faculty advisor Aimee Birdsall in running SWE club and clothing drive.

They will be accepting donations at the Spring Mega Fairs 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 24 at the Jordan campus, Jan. 25 at South City campus and Jan. 26 at the Taylorsville Redwood campus. Collection bins will be available both at the SWE and Environment and Sustainability club tables.

There is a current need for women's professional wear such as blazers, pants, dresses, skirts and shoes in all sizes.

For students looking for career help and advice Dan says to “definitely just come in. If you have questions on career advice, even if you're coming in for the clothes, come into our office and set up an appointment with us now and not just when you graduate.”

The Career Boutique is located in Career Services at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus in the basement of the Student Center in room 002. Students can come in and select complimentary professional clothing, shoes and accessories for a job interview, career fair or first day on the job. They are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

The clothing boutique is a free resource for students, staff, faculty and community members. Students are allowed a max of three visits per semester and may take up to 10 items. Faculty and community members are also able to use the boutique once during a six-month period with a limit of five items per individual. Donated items need to be cleaned and sorted through before they are dropped off. They also need to be in style, meaning the clothes were made within the past five to ten years.