Article written by Irazu Hernandez, published by Naomi Wu
Planning for summer can warm Northwestern students during the cold winter quarter, and with fall quarter under their belts, undergraduates are more confident about navigating resources. Still, the quest for summer opportunities can be overwhelming. Questions can include: How do I sift through jobs, internships, research assistantships, fellowships, and study programs (whether domestic or international)? What do the different labels mean for the experience and my resume?
While prepping for interviews and networking events, the path to preparedness gets clearer . . . until students start thinking about what to wear. What does “business casual” even mean? Is there any combination of clothes in my closet that adds up to that? Is there a mathematical formula to follow? Luckily, Professor Tali Figueroa, Faculty-in-Residence for the Northeast Area, partnered with Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA) to open up his Goodrich House apartment so residents could learn what terms mean, how to impress recruiters, and how to ace interviews. The event was part of the ongoing partnership between NCA and Residential Services to bring career development workshops directly to students near their campus residences.
Tali literally rolled out a red carpet in the middle of his living room for NCA’s Brett Boettcher and Melissa Goethals’ presentation on professional attire for interviews. As Brett and Melissa covered different categories, a student Career Ambassador modeled different workplace looks styled by NCA’s very own ‘Cats Closet. Tali also chimed in with his own sartorial strategies while everyone enjoyed a delicious Indian dinner and took mental notes. At the end, attendees browsed through samples from ‘Cats Closet and could even take home a piece or two.
Launched in Fall 2018, ‘Cats Closet offers free new and gently used attire appropriate for career fairs, interviews, and the workplace. The goal is to ensure students aren’t deterred from pursuing opportunities because of clothes. To date, over 400 students have used the service. Goethals says “students can look forward to Cats Closet staying accessible, meeting demand, growing and having a bigger presence on campus through events and shows.”
“We aim to meet students where they are by presenting in spaces where they’re comfortable, where it’s convenient and where they already spend their time,” said Kim Corbin, founder and leader of ‘Cats Closet. “Hosting events in Faculty-in-Residence apartments creates a comfortable and casual atmosphere for workshops, as these spaces are actual homes.” It’s all part of the uniquely Northwestern residential experience that sets students up for success.