Northwest students who need professional clothing for job interviews, networking events and other career-related activities are invited to visit the Career Closet. Northwest faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to donate gently used business attired for the initiative. (Photos by Audrey Chappell/Northwest Missouri State University)

Sept. 26, 2018

Northwest accepting business clothing, accessories for ‘Career Closet’

When Meghan Sheil, an early childhood instructor in Northwest Missouri State University’s School of Education, began to see some of her students expressing anxiety about finding the right clothes for their student teaching assignments and job interviews, she was compelled to help.

Sheil gathered some professional clothing from her closet that she no longer wore and set up a small clothing rack in her Brown Hall office. She invited her students to select what they needed from the rack.

“They want to look good and feel nice, but they don’t always have money to spend,” she said.

Sheil wasn’t the only person to see the need, and now the Northwest community is combining efforts and enhancing its work to help students start their careers with the launch of its “Career Closet.”

The University is inviting community members to donate gently worn professional attire. It is accepting suit jackets, pants, shirts and dresses as well as accessories such as professional shoes, scarves, jewelry and neck ties. Donations also may include clothing that is specific to a professional field, such as scrubs for a student entering the medical field.

All donations should be brought to Career Services, located in Room 130 of the Administration Building, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. Clothing should be on a hanger and ready to wear.

“We are thrilled to have the Career Closet opening on campus,” Jill Brown, Northwest’s director of partnerships and placement. “We know students want to ‘dress to impress,’ but don’t always have the extra cash to do so. This project is a wonderful opportunity for the community to support Bearcats with an immediate need that will have a lasting impact.”

In anticipation of Northwest’s Career Day and Education Expo on Oct. 2, the Career Closet opened to Northwest students from Friday, Sept. 28, by appointment; click here to make an appointment.

For more information about the Career Closet, contact Career Services at 660.562.1250 or career@nwmissouri.edu.