UF Student Government Cabinet is hosting the Gator Career Closet’s first clothing drive.
UF Student Government’s Internal Communications and Community Involvement Cabinet began the drive on Monday, and it runs until Friday. The donation station for the closet is in the SG offices, located on the third floor of the Reitz Union. The Gator Career Closet is on the third floor of Peabody Hall.
Stephanie Muench, a supervisor for the Gator Career Closet, said the closet needs smaller sized items for students, but any donation helps.
“Anything we get helps someone,” Muench said. “There is a really big variety. You can’t really pinpoint a college student by stereotyping one way. It is completely variable, so anything we get will be used by someone.”
Muench said the closet collects donations year-round, but this is the first time SG will organize a drive.
When clothes are donated, the workers go through the items to make sure they’re in good shape, up to date with business trends and clean, Muench said. She said if items are not used in the career closet, they will be given to the UF Field and Fork Pantry for other use.
Madeline Fava, an 18-year-old UF business administration freshman, found out about the closet because of her Warrington Welcome class, an introductory class for students in the Warrington College of Business.
“I use it because as a freshman I don't own a lot of business clothes and did not have a lot of money to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe,” Fava said. “I use it when I have meetings that require you to wear business casual or professional clothes, or if I have an interview.”
Fava said she is glad SG is having a drive for the Gator Career Closet, and she thinks more students should be aware of the closet.
Muench said her favorite time of the year is during career showcase because she sees the needs of students when it comes to showcasing themselves. This past Fall, the closet loaned out about 55 percent of its inventory, she said.
“They are coming to UF to get an education and to get a job,” Muench said. “That transition between education and a job will need a suit, so you can go to interviews so your visual resume can be as good as your written resume.”
