C & G Newspapers (MI)
Paper: Warren Weekly (MI)
Title: Suiting up for the job market
Date: October 7, 2009
When Laurie Tarter directed students in the Winning Futures mentoring program to "dress for success," the result wasn't what she had in mind. The high schoolers' propensity to don low-cut shirts, stiletto heels and other "club wear" as they met with adult mentors served as the catalyst behind Winning Futures first Career Closet, which linked teens with free business-appropriate garb and makeovers.
“We realized kids didn't know what 'dress for success’ meant," said Tarter, Winning Futures program director. "Their idea of 'dress for success' was not exactly what employers were looking for.
We decided, how can we give these kids an edge?" With many adults laid off, students are facing increased competition as they seek positions in the current job market. Through Winning Futures, the students already learn to perfect their resumes, applications and interviews; arming them with the means to dress professionally, said Tarter, is "one more leverage we can give them." The Sept. 25 Career Closet, held at Warren Consolidated Schools' Butcher Educational Center, was meant to be the pilot for what Tarter hopes will become an annual affair.
Donated clothing, organized into type and gender, filled several tables and racks, with offerings ranging from button-down shirts and sweaters to shoes and tasteful accessories. Each student was permitted to leave with one complete outfit at no cost.
"This is not Forever 21; this is not Abercrombie,"
Tarter warned the first group of students as they arrived. "If you're
going to show up in jeans or a T-shirt, you may get overlooked." It didn't
take
She said she could picture herself wearing it to her job, a coop position as a secretary at Warren Woods Elementary, or even outside of the workplace.
"It was just retro and cute," she said.
It's "cool," she added, that people cared enough to donate the clothes "and want to see you succeed." Her classmates soon followed suit, eagerly trying on blouses, coats and ties, snapping pictures as they did, while others received haircuts, manicures and makeup advice from budding stylists from Paul Mitchell: The School.
Carol Visconti, vice president of financial services for Warren-based Extra Credit Union, was among volunteer "sales associates" lending a hand during the event.
"We really got into this Career Closet thing," said Visconti, who noted that Extra Credit Union employees collected gently used business professional garments over a two-week period for the cause. "It's exciting to see it all come together." Clothes instill confidence, she said, and "if they don't have the funds or the resources, this helps get them started." These days, many students can't afford the type of clothing necessary to make a good impression on prospective employers, said Mott business co-op teacher Linda Kay, who was on hand for the event.
"A lot of these students, their parents are out of work," she said.
While Winning Futures is based in
Mentors meet with the teens in hour-long sessions to guide them on skills like goal setting, personal attitudes, budgeting and career planning.
Kay said she considered Winning Futures invaluable to her coop students, who attend classes in the morning and leave for part-time jobs in the afternoon, working 15-28 hours weekly.
The result, she said, is often better grades and enhanced preparation for college and life beyond high school.
"I see how my students progress in the year, how their attitudes change, how they learn to set goals," she said.
For more information on Winning Futures, visit www.winningfutures.org.