Students get suited for the right career

Elissa McCool
Staff Writer

Suits, kitten pumps, and portfolios graced the runway at Jackson State University as the Career Services Center kicked off  Career Week.  The “Get Suited for the Right Career” fashion show took place on Sept. 30 from 6-8 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom and featured models demonstrating the appropriate attire for the career world.

The show began with appropriate casual wear for students to sport down the plaza and wear to class.  The audience was also treated to a scene called “You’re Wrong For That!” in which faculty and staff members took their turn at the runway with blue eye shadow up to their brows and loud colors that clashed.  While the audience laughed, many admitted that they had seen many of these fashion faux pas on campus.

The Career Services Center wanted to ensure that students avoided making the same mistakes when it came to dress attire.  Jeremy Hodge, Career Services Coordinator, said the fashion show served as a way to get prepared for the upcoming Career Fair that will take place on Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Walter Payton Recreation and Fitness Center.

“The purpose of this fashion show was to kick off career week, because several employers are coming from across the U.S. to hire Jackson State students.  We want to ensure that students are up to par and ready to set a good representation for themselves and the university,” said Hodges.

Representatives from Belk department store Northpark location came to inform students on what they looked for in interviews and also offered fashion advice to the students.

“To determine if your skirt is appropriate, stick a credit card at your knee.  If your skirt is above the credit card, it is too short,” said one representative.

For the guys, the Belk team advised that a three piece suit with minimum jewelry is always a safe bet.  The manager at the Bobby Brown makeup counter in Belk Northpark performed an instant makeover on one model as the audience looked on.  For interviews, the expert recommended keeping makeup to a minimum and sticking to neutral colors.

The show concluded with “Building the Brand,” a scene that showcased the appropriate interview business attire.  The audience left with nothing but positive feedback for the fashion show and felt that it was very necessary.

Lauren Taylor, a sophomore marketing and economics major from Huntsville, Ala., was one of the models featured in the show and was pleased that she and other students were privy to such helpful information.

“I feel that I have gained a lot of information on what appropriate business attire is and I feel that students will now know what to wear and what not to wear,” said Taylor.

Katherine Williams, a sophomore English major from Jackson, Miss., said she enjoyed the fashion show.

“The fashion show was informative and educational. I plan to attend all the Career Service events this week,” said Williams.

The rest of the Career Week events include a Networking Reception, a Career Fair on Oct. 2, and On-Campus Interviews on Oct. 3. For more information about the Career Service Center at JSU visit the office on the 1st floor of Jacob L. Reddix Hall or call 601-979-2477.

Photos by: William Kelly