NEW HAVEN, CT — Students at Southern Connecticut State University have launched the “Career Closet,” a campus initiative designed to provide free professional attire to students preparing for job interviews and internships.
Developed by members of SCSU’s School of Business Gold Leadership Program, the Career Closet was built on data gathered from a student-led survey.
Of 112 respondents, 108 expressed interest in an on-campus resource for professional clothing, and 72 reported they would personally use it.
Organizers used the data to shape the final model: students can book appointments and select up to three items per visit, with no requirement to return them.
The project aims to address both financial barriers and sustainability. Suit jackets, often priced at more than $100, can be a burden for students balancing work, tuition, and living expenses. By offering access to gently used professional garments, the Career Closet helps bridge that gap while encouraging reuse and reducing textile waste.
The initiative was supported through campus-wide fundraising efforts like the Day of Giving and Day of Caring. Organizers now plan to expand the resource by engaging community partners and donors to contribute additional clothing and financial support.
