Business and causal wear, shoes and jewelry were available for students interested in professional wear for job interviews and the workplace at the Clothing Expo on Tuesday.

The Women’s Resource Center worked in conjunction with Career Fairs and hosted the event from 3 to 5 p.m. in the gallery lounge of the Holmes Student Center. Business and casual clothing was donated from Kohl’s, Little in the Middle by Lee Ann Park, and faculty and staff.

This event was intended to provide students with something to wear during their interviews at the Internship Fair on Tesuday and the Job Fair on Feb. 20.

“It’s traditionally usually a good turnout,” said Lisa Schmidt, acting director at the Women’s Resource Center. “Most of our donations come from faculty members; we often call it ‘Swapping Our Clothes for students Success.’ There are drop boxes locations on campus where anyone can donate, and also donations can be dropped off at the WRC at anytime.”

Within the first hour of the Clothing Expo, more than 70 NIU students of both genders attended the event to receive professional business attire.

“I really don’t have interviews too often, so I don’t have interview clothes,” said junior sociology major Melisa Stennis. “But I think this is a good opportunity to receive interview clothes in case I need help one day.”

The WRC is located on campus and provides resources for all NIU students, including a television lounge area, smart classroom, a relaxation and wellness room, a kitchen area and a resource area.

“We encourage students to come visit the Women’s Resource Center and to come to events like these,” said assistant director Carrie Williams. “We provide comfortable settings to students to try on clothing. We also welcome all students to utilize the Women’s Resource Center. We call it ‘a home away from home’ and not only welcome women, but men also. Men need to be more concerned about matters of women.”

The Women’s Resources staff is dedicated to gender equity and enhancement of the campus climate for women through advocacy, personal and professional development, and social justice programming, according to the Women’s Resource Center website.

Mechandra Norwood, senior family and child studies major, volunteered at the Clothing Expo event.

“I volunteer because I like to build my communication skills, get involved and help other people,” Norwood said.

The event took around four hours to set up, according to Shanequa Reeves, expo volunteer and junior family child services major.

“I got involved through two members of S.I.S.T.E.R.S, Ashlei Taylor and Jailon Berry,” Reeves said. “They told me to come and volunteer to get involved and I fell in love with it afterwards.”

 

The Women’s Resource is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information about future events or questions, call 815-753-0320.