MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WTVF) — When looking for a job, everyone's heard the phrase dress for success.
But for people just starting out in their career, dressing professionally may not be possible financially.
Tucked away in the hallways of Middle Tennessee State University, students find this career closet. Since 2013, it's been a resource for students trying to land their first job.
Happening now: @MTSU’s Alumni office & Career Development Center are teaming up to gather professional clothes for students who may need some items for their first job/internship.
— Araceli Crescencio NC5 (@aracelireports) August 12, 2022
Drop off items until 4PM at Alumni House. 👗🧳👔👠
More tonight @NC5! pic.twitter.com/R37ztvtgmB
"You're in school to hopefully get a job upon graduation and so a lot of them don't realize, 'Oh I need a button-up shirt or I need a nice blouse or I need a pair of black slacks that's not leggings' and a lot of them just don't have that," assistant director of alumni relations, Kristen Janson, said.
Thanks to donations from community members and alumni, since 2013 any student that needs it, can get a free professional outfit.
But with a new class coming in soon, employees at the Alumni Relations Office and the Career Development Center were worried after seeing some shelves starting to thin out.
"Especially with the women's clothing, the women's clothing that was very, very low. It was lacking that was the biggest call to action for this project," Janson said.
A clothing drive they expected to garner a couple of pieces ended up piling up.
"It has been very exciting to see the generosity that is going to help these students that come back in just a little over a week," Janson said.
In total 86 donors donated to the clothing drive. 1152 hanging pieces and 107 bags were collected.
If you want to contribute: https://www.mtsu.edu/career/raiders_closet.php
