Godbold College of Business Entrepreneurship Club Hosts Dress for Success

Students ‘Shop’ for Business Clothing Donated by Campus Community

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Godbold College of Business Entrepreneurship Club recently hosted its second Dress for Success business apparel clothing drive for Gardner-Webb University students. Members of the club helped sort through the donations of dress shirts, pants, skirts, suits and jackets to set up a “shop” where students could come and select apparel suitable for interviews and to start their careers or internships.

The first business clothing drive was held in the spring. “We did the event the week prior to the Career and Internship Fair, so students had an opportunity to shop,” offered Angelina Smith, director of the Broyhill School of Management. “We tell students they need to dress at least business casual for the (Career and Internship Fair), and we didn’t want not having access to clothing to be a limitation for them. Dressing in professional apparel is important, because students need to look the part. It shows that they are serious about the opportunity.”

Career Coach Spencer Creswell echoed Smith’s observations and added that because so many students attended the event in the spring, the club and professors decided to offer it again. This time about 50 students came to select clothes for the Career and Internship Fair.

Besides needing the right apparel for the Career and Internship Fair, Smith added that students will need business clothes for upcoming networking opportunities. “They are starting to have interviews; there are WEL (Wednesday Experiential Learning) days for the College of Business, so they might be sitting next to a professional in the field,” she said. “Many students just don’t have access to business clothing or access to a car to go purchase clothing.”

Look your best

Creswell offered the following tips for what to wear to a job interview:

•          Make sure your apparel matches.

•          Avoid wild colors and outlandish prints.

•          Solid colors are always a safe bet.

•          Keep it simple.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.