Campus Closet Open for Student Needs

Sep 09, 2021

Students in need of clothing for internships and job searches are welcome to make an appointment via Handshake for the on-campus resource.

  • - Bridgett Nobili, CPDC assistant director and Campus Closet coordinator.

  • - Katelyn Victor, CPDC graduate assistant.

Students who need to make a great first impression at a job interview, internship opportunity, student-teaching assignment and more can go wardrobe shopping on campus this year.

The Campus Closet, located on the first floor of the Career and Professional Development Center in the Natali Student Center, is now open.

All items are free, and the Closet is stocked with clothes for men and women that are appropriate for business or business-casual dress codes.

An open house at the Campus Closet will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 23 in the Natali Student Center, Suite 138.

“Students should make an appointment through Handshake; there is a specific appointment type for the Campus Closet,” said Bridgett Nobili, assistant director of the CPDC and coordinator of the Campus Closet.

“They’ll meet with a staff member, so that we know how to guide them. We want to teach them how to put together a professional or business casual outfit and show them what that means.”

Students may choose up to five items during the first visit. Those who request additional items will participate in a practice interview with CPDC staff.

“They’re getting these outfits for a reason, and we want to help them as they polish their professional skills,” Nobili said.

Donations from businesses and many individuals, offices and departments at Cal U have helped to stock the closet, which will celebrate its grand opening 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 23.

“We want to make a little splash so that students know that it’s here for them,” Nobili said. “There is a big need, and we don’t want that to go unfulfilled. We want to highlight all the ways that we can help and also make sure students are familiar with the Handshake procedure.”

As he led campus tour this summer, senior secondary education major Brett Bieber made a point to mention the Campus Closet.

“This is what I tell students: You’ll come here as an 18-year-old young adult, but you’re going to leave as a young professional,” he said. “Professional attire is a step in that direction. It gives you pride and confidence.”

To make a donation to the Campus Closet or for more information, contact Bridgett Nobili at 724-938-4413 or nobili@calu.edu.