Dutchmen Career Closet Opens to Students

Multiple administrative departments at Lebanon Valley College have come together to create the Dutchmen Career Closet (DCC), a place where students can select professional clothing for a job interview or any other type of professional endeavor.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in September to announce and promote the new service.

The Career Closet is a collaboration between Renata Williams, director of the Office of Intercultural Affairs & Inclusive Programs; Brynn Mason, assistant director of the Center for Career Development; Natalia Smith, administrative assistant for Spiritual Life, Service, and Volunteerism; and Jen Evans, director of student activities. A grant from the President’s Fund for Inclusive Excellence started the process in spring 2017.

“Students who may not have access to professional clothing for interviews, internships, and job shadowing and who may need assistance selecting what to wear for the same professional instances will really benefit from the Career Closet,” said Williams. “Overall, I really hope that the DCC becomes an automatic resource for students.”

The project began last semester, but the founders wanted to build up the amount of donations before opening the doors. Mason noted that some of the clothing donated still had the tags attached.

Williams involved student workers from the Office of Intercultural Affairs & Inclusive Programming who obtained six mannequins from J. C. Penney in Harrisburg to display some outfits. Target and JhettSett Closet Consignment Boutique in Hershey both donated clothing to the DCC. Also, JhettSett’s owner, Casey Helwig, is providing decorating ideas and style tips. The Dutchmen Career Closet hopes to expand their partners by reaching out to department and outlet stores.

As the career closet is still new, students have access to it only by appointment, and each student is allowed one free outfit until the service expands. Students can select from any section.

If you would like to set up an appointment or donate some gently used items, please contact any of the founders at rwilliam@lvc.edu, jevans@lvc.edu, nsmith@lvc.edu, or career-development@lvc.edu. They are looking for men’s clothing, women’s clothing, shoes, ties, and other accessories.