Career Closet

Mission

The Career Closet serves as a free critical resource for students who may lack access to suitable professional attire for interviews, internships, presentations, performances, or networking events. By equipping students with the necessary tools to present themselves confidently in professional settings, the Career Closet plays a pivotal role in leveling the playing field and enhancing career prospects for all students. There are two parts to the UofM Career Closet. The donations-only career closet in Mitchell Hall 401 and our New Suit Checkout System in Mitchell 405, which is separate from the donations. Both of these resources within the Career Closet are completely free to current UofM students with a student ID. If a student cannot find an outfit in the donations, we have the new JCPenney black pant suits in size 0-24 Womens and 32R-50R Mens that are available to checkout for up to four days when needed.

How to utilize the Career Closet

To set up an appointment to shop the free career closet and/or the black suit checkout system, students can follow the link below and schedule a time that works best for their schedule using Calendly.

Our staff will check students in during their scheduled appointment time and help them find their perfect fit. To utilize the suit checkout system, you must have an appointment and bring your Student ID, walk-ins are not allowed. Students are also not allowed to bring guests to also shop during their appointment time. Each student must have an appointment and check-in with their student ID upon arrival to the Career Closet.

To return suits to the checkout system (separate from our donor-based closet), students will need to make another appointment and bring all items that were checked out within four days of checkout. If there are no times available within that four day period to return on Calendly, please call 901-678-3011 or email our office firstgen@memphis.edu and we will arrange a drop off with you.

How to donate items to the Career Closet

To donate professional attire, please contact us at firstgen@memphis.edu to set up a drop off time. We accept donations Mon-Fri from 9:00am to 3:00 pm by appointment so we can ensure that staff are there to help you unload your car. Our drop off location offers a drive-thru option for all donors on Alumni St. off Patterson Ave (directly across from the Baptist Collegiate Ministries building at 469 Patterson St). Alumni St is gated on campus but will be opened for donors with a Career Closet appointment.

We are accepting donations year-round and always in need of both Men’s and Women’s suits, shoes, briefcases, belts, ties, dresses, pants, accessories, and other items of professional attire in all sizes. Cocktail and formal attire is also needed to help support our UofM Law and other students attending special functions.

Highlights

"We are excited by the overwhelming support for our Career Closet and by the number of students who have already taken advantage of this amazing campus resource that is free to all current undergraduate and graduate students at the UofM," says Jacki Rodriguez, Director of the Office of First-Generation Student Success. "This resource is instrumental in empowering our students to make a positive impression as they navigate the professional landscape."

The Career Closet was featured in UofM Magazine Article (ppg 20-22) and the Dressed for Success UofM Blog.

For more information about the Career Closet please contact the Office of First-Generation Student Success at firstgen@memphis.edu