‘Clothes for Careers’ pop-up shop helps students get work-ready

Hundreds of 'gently worn' items of professional clothing, including shoes and handbags, have been donated by university staff and their community networks for the project, and sorted by volunteers.

They will be available to students for free via a temporary shop at Y block (next to EzyMart) on Gardens Point campus from May 7 to May 30, with plans to run another pop-up shop in Semester 2.

QUT fashion students will also be volunteering at the shop to help other students choose clothes and style them for work.

Ingrid Larkin from the Faculty of Business and Law oversees work integrated learning opportunities for students with real-world employers and came up with the idea after talking to students about their needs.

QUT Sustainability Manager Leigh Burgess said the pop-up shop was now part of the wider QUT Green Impact Program, which encourages staff to get involved with sustainability on campus.

"We already have an amazing community of staff members who donate to projects such as the QUT Guild Foodbank, so this is giving them another avenue to help our students," Ms Burgess said.

"They have been very generous in donating hundreds of pieces of 'gently worn' corporate clothing that will be available to students for free via the pop-up shop.

"It's an idea born out of the needs of students but also the desire to contribute to sustainable fashion.

"We're very keen for this to be an ongoing project and to hold more Clothes for Careers pop-up shops at our Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove campuses."

Ms Larkin said she regularly spoke to students heading off to work placements and interviews.

"Like everyone, students are facing increased cost-of-living pressures," Ms Larkin said.

"What we hear from them is that they often don't have the type of corporate attire and business attire that is needed for some workplaces. They might have retail or hospitality-wear for their jobs, uni clothes and going-out clothes.

"But they don't already have a tailored jacket or other corporate wear for a professional wardrobe.

"When I talk to students about placements and interviews, we also discuss the concept of 'appropriate' workwear and how really depends on the workplace. You might walk into an ad agency and everyone is in jeans and t-shirts, but if you go into a big law firm that's likely to be more corporate and formal."

The pop-up shop is being stocked with work-friendly clothes and accessories.

QUT Bookshop staff have been part of the project by running collection points for donations at bookshops on both campuses.

QUT Retail has provided the shop space for the pop-up store, and a team of volunteers has been helping sort the clothes and prepare the store. Staff and students are also volunteering to work short shifts in the store when it opens.

The Clothes for Careers pop-up shop will be open to QUT students with ID cards from May 7 to 30. Opening hours are 10am to 2pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 3pm to 7pm on Wednesdays.

The shop is located at Gardens Point campus on the outside of Y Block, next to EzyMart.

Main photo at top: Ingrid Larkin from the Faculty of Business and Law checks out preparations for the Clothes for Careers pop-up shop's opening on May 7.

QUT Media contacts:
- Mechelle McMahon, [email protected]
- After hours, 0407 585 901 or [email protected]

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