TIFFIN, Ohio — Many young adults go on the job hunt after graduating college and a local university has started something new to make sure its students are dressed to impress.
Tiffin University has created a new student career service with the goal of outfitting upperclassmen with what they need to look their best.
As those students at TU prepare for one final semester, many are also looking ahead to their first job interview. But some may not have access to a professional wardrobe to help make that positive first impression.
The solution is a clothing drive. School officials are asking for new or gently used business attire to help stock the new Dragon Armoire in the Career Services Department, where students will have the chance to pick out a new-to-them outfit.
"Things like suits, suit jackets, blazers, pants, blouses, anything like that. Dresses, skirts; we're definitely open to taking those items," Bethani Burkhart, director of Career Services at TU, said.
This new service is a continuation of TU's work to ensure graduating students are not just educated, but fully prepared for a new career.
"They can come to this armoire and they can pick out something, and they have their first professional outfit," TU Provost and Chief Operating Officer Dr. Peter Holbrook said.
"We can provide them with resources and direction to identify professional clothing that's going to fit them best for whatever it is their need is, and whatever industry it is they want to get into," Burkhart said. "So we can kind of help them navigate that process."
The current clothing drive leads up to TU's student career fair on March 15. You can drop off gently used or new business clothes Monday through Friday at the Murphy Academic Support Center on TU's campus from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
With the help of donors and a grant from US Bank, the service will not cost anything for students.
"The most helpful thing we can offer to students is that it's free, right?" Burkhart said. "It is totally free professional clothing that's going to help you out with your career it's going to help you with that internship."
The Dragon Armoire will officially open to students on Feb. 9, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Murphy Academic Support Center.
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