Career Development Center fashion show mixes fun with function

Though most college students would never consider modeling professionally, some on the campus of Purdue University Fort Wayne don’t mind gliding down the runway to help others learn how to dress professionally.

Each year, the Career Development Center attracts students who ditch their shyness to demonstrate potential job-interview fashion wearing clothes found in the university’s Mastodon Career Closet. The fourth “Dressing for Your Success Fashion Show” will be held from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Thursday in the Classic Ballroom at Walb Student Union. The event is so much fun, sometimes the models come back the following year. There have even been alumni, faculty, and staff participants, but the focus is on current students.

“I love fashion and presenting a story,” said Liv Hope, a junior majoring in psychology. “I also love the career center. What drew me to the closet is that they are very inclusive and don’t judge what you pick. I like to be more expressive in my appearance and what I like to wear and make a statement.”

It was Hope’s first time as a model, and he didn’t require much convincing to return. Students modeled four outfits during last year’s 90-minute show.

“It was fun,” said Neha Rajeeva, a graduate student in computer sciences who is also returning. “The team was really good, and I feel it did create something I could learn about. I took a lot from it, and even my friends who attend the fashion show can get a lot from it.”

The event’s primary purpose is to suggest how attendees should dress for the Feb. 28 Mastodon Career Expo, which allows all students and alumni to meet area employers who will gather in Lutheran Health Fieldhouse from 2 to 5 p.m. The fashion show presents dos and don’ts for such an occasion.

“It may be viewed as a cliché or an outdated idea, but I believe it remains true; you never get a second chance to make a first impression,” said Andrea LaBarbera, vice president of talent and engagement at Zimmer Biomet, in a recent email to Jackie Stancil, the Career Development Center’s executive director. “After visiting countless career fairs and interviewing hundreds of candidates, those that show up dressed professionally with a first handshake, confident eye contact, and clear communication are the candidates I remember. They get the interviews.”

That’s partly why the career closet exists on a first-come, first-served basis to help students obtain professional attire such as business suits, dresses, shoes, purses, neckties, pocketbooks, belts, and scarves. Each student is permitted one free outfit per semester, enough to stock their own closet by graduation.

“It’s so much fun, bringing awareness for the closet and allowing the students to have their fun with it,” said Melody Monday, a career counselor in the Career Development Center and coordinator of the Career Closet. “The whole energy behind them having a good time and putting themselves out there that way is my favorite part. We encourage them to have as much fun as possible.”

There are six “scenes” during the fashion show exploring how to dress for opportunities like a career fair, an interview, the first day of work, dress down days, and a company outing. Ideas are also shared to help students show off their cultural style.

Music, refreshments, and giveaways are also planned, and the show will be emceed by Tony Betton Jr., host of 21Alive’s “INsight” program.

Tracey Hanton, associate director of the Career Development Center, stressed the benefit to those who participate in the regularly scheduled activities throughout the year. The list of topics includes assessments, résumé building, guidance on internships, volunteering possibilities, co-ops, etiquette, professional headshots, interview preparation, and a four-year plan to help students find positions that utilize their majors. There’s an entire career handbook to help along the way.

“The preparation they get from our office if they are consistent in participating is invaluable,” Hanton said. “There’s value to doing all the prep work.”

And modeling in a career fashion show can be a great ice breaker.