Delta Sigma Pi (DSP) business fraternity students will help University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business Administration students dress for success through a new initiative called the Career Closet. Open on Wednesdays and Thursdays in February from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the atrium outside CBA 222, the Career Closet features donated professional clothing.

Dr. Laurie Miller, assistant professor of practice in economics, advises the student organization and believes the project can boost current students’ job prospects along with inspiring DSP members.

“DSP students talked about giving back to CBA and making a lasting impact on the community,” said Miller. “I visited my alma mater at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and saw a poster for a similar project. I talked to Molly King, our DSP president, about starting a Career Closet here, and we agreed this was a great opportunity for the college. With support of CBA administration, including Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Student Engagement Donna Dudney and former Dean Donde Plowman, it has been all systems go.”

The Career Closet opens as a pilot ‘pop-up shop’ this semester for February only and returns this fall with a grand opening in the new CBA building. Students select two items free of charge and the clothes are theirs to keep.

“We feel fortunate to have resources to draw on through our faculty and staff. Career Closet allows us to increase the visibility of DSP while giving back and paying it forward to fellow students. The only prerequisite to shop at Career Closet is being a CBA student. We verify the student’s name and status with the college, and they are free to browse what we have available,” she said.

Students majoring in business (actuarial science, accounting, agribusiness, business administration, economics, finance, international business, marketing, management or supply chain management) qualify to shop at the Career Closet. Eventually, Miller hopes to provide up to four items per business student each semester. Items not selected by students end up at local non-profits.

“Our goal is to connect more with local businesses to increase the sense of community with CBA and our business partners. We want clothing to suit both business professional and business casual attire, including full suits, dress shirts, blouses, dresses, skirts, dress pants, ties, scarves and belts. DSP students sort the clothing to determine appropriate business attire,” she said.

Miller emphasizes how DSP students acquire business experience by running Career Closet. Students manage all aspects of the project from inventory to marketing to scheduling.

Businesses or individuals wishing to make clothing or monetary donations can contact Miller at lmiller29@unl.edu, or drop off clothing donations in CBA 340. Learn more about the project at http://cba.unl.edu/closet.

DSP is a professional fraternity organized to foster the study of business in higher education. Members form close bonds with fellow students, learn from experienced business professionals and utilize an extensive international network of fellow members. Published: January 26, 2017