NWTC offers Career Closet for students

GREEN BAY - We often hear about dressing for success.

Career counselors say that's even more important in today's tight job market.

Now one local tech school is helping students suit up for the workforce.

Nicole Komoroski says she is ready to take on the business world.

But the NWTC student's first order of business will be figuring out what to wear for a job interview.

"Wearing dress slacks, a dress blazer is very important,” she said.

Komoroski's search led her here: The Career Closet opened Tuesday at NWTC's Green Bay campus.

Its goal: provide students and grads with up to two free career outfits per semester.

Staff also provides advice on how to look polished and professional. All the clothes so far have been donated by NWTC staff, like Andrew Clark. He dropped off seven sport coats.

"The economy's really been hard on a lot of us, especially our students. It's our target market of people trying to reinvent themselves and they have to look their best,” said Andrew Clark, an instructor in career leadership services.

As the old saying goes, the shoes don't make the man. But career counselors say it can give them the confidence to put the right foot forward as the start their careers.

"I think that old saying dress for the job you want, not for the job you have is pretty important. If you're unemployed and sitting home watching TV, you shouldn't go to an interview wearing pajama pants and Crocs, which we see quite a bit of, I think it's important to dress well because that first impression could break you,” said Tony McNamara, branch manager at Manpower, Inc. in Green Bay.

NWTC counselors say wearing a suit isn't always necessary for all careers.

"We usually recommend that students and graduates would dress one level up from the position they're applying for. If you're applying for a welding position we recommend a nice pair of jeans and a nice button-down shirt,” said Jennifer Pigeon, NWTC career services manager.

Students say this additional service has them well-dressed and well-set for a career's worth of success.

NWTC says it is accepting donations from the public of gently used career clothes, shoes and accessories. They can be dropped off week days at the career services office.

Other agencies like the Rotary Club and the YWCA also offer similar programs open to all community members.