Empowering Student Confidence – Anderson College’s Clothing Closet Initiative

Supporting, encouraging, and uplifting students, as they embrace their first, or next, career and take their lives to new levels, isn’t just a job but a passion for our Anderson College team. Beyond words, we are perpetually amazed by how our staff not only feels these sentiments but demonstrates them – and this is awe inspiring for all those we employee and all those we serve.

Kerry Hills, Career Services Advisor at our Brantford Campus, is certainly no exception and her Campus Clothing Initiative is making a powerful difference in the confidence and lives of those who arrive with their sights set on landing the position of their dreams upon graduation.

We had the wonderful opportunity to connect with Kerry and speak with her about her vision and the impact it’s having.

“The thought behind launching the Campus Clothing Closet was just that I wanted to help students feel good, to feel confident in their job interviews. I truly believe that our clothing can influence how we feel. So, when students, or any of us, put on an outfit that we don’t feel great in, our whole demeanor changes. When we put on an outfit that we feel good wearing, our confidence rises, and that’s what I wanted our students to experience.

“Also, our community has some social-economic challenges. We have many single parents and parents returning to school after not working. So, I thought starting a clothing closet could be one way to support our students financially as well. I initiated the idea, not knowing that a similar initiative existed before COVID under the Westervelt umbrella (the name of the college Anderson College joined with in 2022). I brought it back into play and established our Campus Clothing Closet with contributions from staff, friends, and family. We now have a well-stocked closet with a variety of work-appropriate interview clothes, shoes, purses, belts, accessories, and items in different sizes for both men and women, suitable for various industries.”

Kerry shared with us that the first steps were to gather clothes and get the message out to staff and to rally support. The Career Services team encouraged everyone to contribute from their own closets, as well as reaching out to friends and family so they could gather more variety in the donated items for students.

She told us that, “Once we collected the clothes, we cleared out a closet at the school and organized everything. People now bring their donations to me, and I take care of hanging them up and keeping the closet organized. To inform students about the initiative, I created a flyer and displayed it on our Career Services Board. During my mock interviews with students, I make sure to let them know about the availability of the closet and that they are welcome to borrow clothes to help them with their interviews.”

The response has been terrific. We asked Kerry to give an example of the impact this initiative is having, and she had this to say.

“Just this week, a student living out of town needed an outfit for a placement interview and didn’t have time to go home and get her clothes. She came to the Clothing Closet, tried on different outfits, and even modeled them for her friends. Her classmates noticed a difference in her confidence and demeanor when she found an outfit she liked. She actually ended up choosing an outfit from our Clothing Closet and was accepted for the placement.”

Students tend to check out what’s available in advance, can get a feel for what’s there and many express that they’ll be returning to find a great fit when job application and interview time comes around for them.

The Campus Clothing Closet seems to be not only practically helping students ready for their interviews but is contributing to the overall professional development and success of students.

“The students really appreciate it. Some students have even expressed interest in making donations to the Clothing Closet. As more students reach the point of graduation and begin interviewing, I anticipate that the Clothing Closet will be used even more. Having it on campus helps build a supportive community, and it’s heartening to see the students’ smiles when they find outfits that make them feel good. Dressing professionally for interviews gives them that extra boost they need when walking into the interview.”

Kerry has shared the Clothing Closet idea with her Career Services Advisor Group, and their response has been supportive and positive. Although there aren’t any concrete plans for the Clothing Closet to roll out at other campuses, Kerry let us know she’s willing to share the details and process of the initiative with anyone interested.

“It’s an easy initiative to roll out and provides another way to simply support students. As for Brantford campus, I plan to keep reminding staff about the Clothing Closet and encourage new donations as seasons change. My goal is to continue helping students feel confident and experience success in their job searches.”

We asked Kerry what she’s most proud of and she had this to share, “It’s about seeing the students’ joy, and how empowered they feel when they find outfits they love. It’s heartwarming to witness how their body language and sense of self improve when they feel good about what they’re wearing. When they walk into an interview feeling good, looking good, and full of confidence, it makes all the difference.

“Our tagline for the Campus Clothing Closet is “Look Great, Feel Good, Feel Confident, and Dress for Success”. And this is precisely what this Clothing Closet initiative and the Brantford team help students achieve.

Beyond confidence, the Clothing Closet is helping to build a sense of community on campus. The Brantford Career Services department has come together to ensure their students have every advantage possible to succeed – from resume and interview skills to the attire that gives the non-verbal cues that they’re the professional for the job.

The team prompts students to think about the role clothing plays in how they present themselves. “Although verbal communication is the most common form of communication there are other ways we can communicate. Through body language, and facial expressions we convey nonverbal communication messages. Clothing gives insight into a person’s personality. So, when you go to a job interview, what’s the message you want your clothing to say about you?

“We’ve all worn that outfit that we just don’t feel good in. And that day your mood is different; something just doesn’t feel right. The next day you put on your favourite outfit and your outlook changes, everything seems to be going your way, your body language changes, you feel capable, able to take on the world. That’s the way you want to go into an interview. Feeling and looking good.”

The team tells students, “When going for an interview, dress like you already have the job.” We’re thrilled that the Brantford Career Services team makes this truly possible for so many.

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The Anderson College team is here to help you gain the training and confidence to achieve your career and life goals too. If you’re still wondering what positions your interests align with take the “Anderson College Career Training Readiness Quiz”. But if you’re ready to gain the skills to get you to the point where you’re looking for an outfit from the Clothing Closet to interview in, explore our 30+ programs, and book a virtual appointment with an Admissions Advisor today.