Job seekers know the steps to landing just the right position depend on a few critical factors. Interview skills, education, experience, compatibility. But at the heart of a successful approach is, of course, personal presentation.
To help students dress for success as they begin their careers, FGCU has dedicated a space to providing professional apparel that will ensure a good first impression. With the long-awaited opening of Azul’s Attire, a coordinated career closet for job-seeking students, comes an extensive wardrobe of gently used professional clothing ready to wear.
Rose Fuller, director of Career Development Services, feels passionate about helping students figure out their “why” and articulating that to the world.
“Our goal is to provide well-rounded resources, strategies and interview preparation and that includes helping to build confidence,” Fuller said. “If we can support students and they don’t have to worry about what to wear, that’s a big part of the job process.”
Along with strategic consultations to find just the right fit, FGCU Career Development Services has designed the rooms to showcase everything from suits to shoes to be sure to make a comfortable combination that inspires confidence.
Working with currently enrolled students, the team discusses majors, the graduate school process, career goals and a full range of tips and tools during and an hourlong appointment.
Keith Davidson is the assistant director of Career Development Services and part of the team leading the initiative for Azul’s Attire. They’ve developed a sign-up tool to align with the appointment manager system that also pairs students with academic advisors and a variety of career services. Davidson says the closet is already a big hit.
“The support for the initiative is incredible. The community has really stepped up,” he said. “Seeing how much the university has come together to give clothing — so much that we have extra supply.”
Guidance with dressing for success is the main goal of Azul’s Attire, accommodating students from a range of backgrounds. Hannah Flory, former career services advisor, began working on the project soon after starting at FGCU in August 2020.
“Everyone has a different story and reasons they may need some assistance with this type of professional clothing,” Flory said. “It’s also courage on the part of the students, as it’s brave to ask for assistance. We focus on empowerment. If we can remove the anxiety about how they look, students can focus their interviews on the talent and skills that they bring.”
According to Flory, the logistics of finding the right location on campus were challenging, leading to the newly imagined space in the modular adjacent to the Aquatics Center. Renovated to become custom clothing closets, the two rooms showcase all types of styles, sizes and options for finding an outfit to impress.
“Our goal is to get to a place where anyone feels that they can come in and get what they need,” Flory said. “There’s a sustainability piece to it as well. Alumni can give back and stay in touch.”
The team is always looking for more outfits to add to the mix, as they describe it, “business casual and business professional attire, lightly used, new or clean, and of course, cool and hip.”
“It’s been a tremendous team effort,” Fuller said. “We’re trying to create a culture where a student’s career is everybody’s business.”
The services offered through Azul’s Attire are free and confidential for any FGCU student with a valid ID and UIN and who are in need of assistance.
Find more info and book your consultation today on the Azul’s Attire website.
The site also has information about how to donate clothing or contribute to the Azul’s Attire fund.