Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s Career Closet was on full display at a runway show Feb. 18 on campus, where Influencer Club members modeled professional and business casual outfits provided by the program.
Nayahna Trevino, club president and political science senior, opened the “Jaguar Meets Runway” show with interview-ready wide-leg trousers and a white long-sleeve.
Live commentary from the show MCs highlighted her career ambitions as she moved down the runway. Trevino navigated the challenging terrain in high heels with poise and confidence.
Trevino plans to pursue a career in immigration law and understands the importance of dressing for the job you want. For her, the psychological impact of a well- chosen outfit extends directly into the classroom.,
“I’m always dressing up, even for just two classes at school. I feel like it just puts me in a better mood,” she said.
This program has helped brighten the moods — and improve the success rates of students who need proper attire for job interviews or graduate school admission interviews.
The Career Closet was launched in 2016. Since its inception nearly a decade ago, it has been a vital support system for students moving forward in their professional journey.
Director of Career Services Karen Martin notes that while career closets are common at universities, Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s approach is especially unique.
Students are encouraged to permanently keep the outfit they select. At a previous institution where Martin worked, students had to dry-clean and return the outfits they borrowed.
At A&M-San Antonio’s Career Closet, students and recent graduates can take one suit set and up to six professional or business casual pieces. This includes shoes and accessories in addition to clothing. Throughout the semester, to increase visibility and manage surplus, the Career Closet hosts pop-up shops with free items for all students.
This year’s annual Jaguar Meets Runway event showcases items from a clothing drive organized by The Society For Human Resource Management chapter of A&M-San Antonio, and the donations contributed were exclusively from the San Antonio chapter.
Beyond the runway, the event featured curated racks of professional attire and a wide selection of footwear. By simply checking in with their student ID, students were invited to browse and take home interview- ready pieces all free of charge. These pop- up events offer a relaxed, accessible alternative for students with busy schedules.
Martin recounted one student’s testimony of rushing into the Career Closet in search of a better fitting suit. This A&M-San Antonio senior was applying to veterinary school and realized last minute that a new outfit was necessary. One new suit later, he was officially accepted into veterinary school.
“That is one practical example of why we do this,” Martin said. Inappropriate and ill-fitting clothing can have a negative impact on a student’s interview performance, and this is one barrier the university is dedicated to knocking down one outfit at a time.
In addition to having clean and gently used options, the Career Closet strives to be size inclusive for all students. If a particular size is not available, the Career Closet rounds out the inventory through additional donations or purchases as necessary. Martin said the program’s open-door policy makes it a safe, inviting space and there is no shortage of support when needed.
“If you need it, it’s here for you. Let us be here for you,” Martin said.
The Career Closet is open Monday through Friday from 8-5 p.m. and can be found at the Mays Center inside of the Science & Technology Building.
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