Yellow Jacket Career Closet

West Virginia State University has established a career closet, located on campus, that is managed by the Office of Career Services. The Career Closet will provide WVSU students with business professional clothing for interviews, career fairs, formal events, and/or any career-related functions, both on and off campus.

The Career Closet is available to all West Virginia State University students seeking to expand their professional wardrobe. Donations are accepted from faculty, staff, alumni, community members, and businesses.

Guidelines

Students Seeking Professional Attire

Students are encouraged to schedule a visit to the Career Closet to look through the many options at a pace that best suits them in a zero pressure, judgment free zone. Need help finding items? Staff are available to assist. Items are available on a first-come, first-served basis and specific items may not be available. Common clothing closet items include:

  • Belts
  • Blazers
  • Blouses
  • Dresses
  • Dress Pants
  • Dress Shirts
  • Professional Footwear
  • Slacks
  • Suits
  • Neck Ties

The Career Closet is open Monday through Friday 9am-4pm throughout the academic year and Monday through Friday 9am-3pm during the summer. Students may stop by during operation hours, no appointment is necessary. The location of the closet is James C. Wilson University Union, room 214.

During the Visit

Bring your student ID when visiting the Career Closet for verification. Currently enrolled WVSU students can take up to 4 individual apparel items (i.e., 1 pair of pants, 3 ties and 1 shirt or 2 blouses, 1 dress and a pair of shoes) per visit. The clothes you take are yours to keep, free of charge. The Career Closet is staffed by WVSU student workers and career services staff, during regular business hours.

  • Two visits per school year (fall, spring), one visit during summer semester
  • Visitors can select up to four items to keep per visit
  • Visitors can try on items in our dressing room, which include full-length mirrors
  • Career Services staff will help assist all visitors
  • Visitors can take their time, there is no time limit per visit or pressure
  • Visitors should not put the clothes away; instead, they should return them to the designated return area located in the Career Closet
  • Career Services staff will put the clothes away to ensure the closet is properly organized and neat
  • When done, visitors must stop by the front desk to check out

Vouchers

Referrals are available to Heart and Hand Outreach Ministries and Goodwill Industries of Kanawha Valley for professional clothing as well. If students are unable to acquire all items needed from WVSU’s Yellow Jacket Career Closet than a referral for a voucher will be provided to one or both locations.

Donations

Appropriate items for donation include business suits, blazers, dress shirts, blouses, professional slacks, skirts, and ties. (Business shoes must be new or in like new condition to be accepted.) Items need to be appropriate for career fairs, interviews, and professional work environments. All donation items must be cleaned appropriately.  Damaged or dirty clothing items and items without sizes clearly labeled will not be accepted. We will not accept any undergarments, hats, used/worn shoes, or jewelry in the Career Closet.

The Office of Career Services reserves the right to donate any clothing deemed unacceptable for the Career Closet to a local charity within the community.

When are donations accepted?

Monday- Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm during the academic year.

Where can donations be dropped off?

Donations may be dropped off at the Office of Career Services, located at James C. Wilson University Union, room 214.

Donations are tax deductible, and a receipt will be provided upon request. The donor is responsible for determining the value of their donation.

Donations can be mailed to the following address:

West Virginia State University

Office of Career Services

5000 Fairlawn Avenue

Institute, WV  25112

Financial Support

While the Career Closet relies primarily on donations of appropriate clothing, financial support enables the Office of Career Services to purchase items that are in greatest demand. Monetary donations will be managed through WVSU Foundation.

To donate, please visit https://connect.wvstateu.edu/foundation/give-now. Select “other” under Designation and in the comments indicate” Career Closet”.

Mail checks and money order donations made payable to “West Virginia State University” to:

West Virginia State University Foundation
100 East Hall
P.O. Box 1000
Institute, WV 25112-1000

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