Clothing drive benefits job seekers, student scholarships

In a tough economic climate, the extra expense of buying a new interviewing suit is especially daunting for some students and alumni.

To help, CU-Boulder Career Services partners with the Engineering BOLD Center (formerly the Multicultural Engineering Program, or MEP) and the Multicultural Business Students Association (MBSA) to collect clean, gently worn business attire from the community during the summer.

The goal is to outfit a job seeker in a quality suit that provides confidence without breaking the bank. Clothes collected are sold to students and alumni at low cost (full suits go for $20) at the Suit Yourself clothing sale in the fall, helping job seekers to be well-dressed for interviews and career fairs.

Proceeds from the sale benefit the Engineering BOLD Center and the Multicultural Business Students Association. More than $6,000 has been raised each of the past six years to help fund student scholarships.

Clothing donations are being sought now through Sept. 15. Men's and women's suits, jackets, pants, shirts, skirts, ties and handbags will be accepted at Career Services (Willard Hall), the Alumni Association and all Art Cleaners stores in Boulder.

For more information about the Suit Yourself program, please contact Lisa Lovett at Lisa.Lovett@colorado.edu.