On Sunday, Sept. 23, students flocked to JCPenney from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to attend the “Suit Up” event to shop for business attire at a discounted price.
The event is part of a nationwide campaign JCPenney does for college campuses across America. Previously, the clothing store has collaborated with Texas Tech and the University of Arizona, among other colleges, but on Sept. 23, the University of Southern Mississippi, in conjunction with the clothing store, allowed students to find what they need for those future job interviews.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for students to get prepared for their professional careers,” marketing coordinator for the College of Business Bailey Harris said. “They have to be prepared to go on to an interview or anything like that, so it’s a perfect opportunity for them to do something like that but at a lowered cost.”
After checking in at the entrance, students were given a 40 percent coupon good for professional wear, including shirts, dresses, socks and shoes. Plus, if an item was already marked off, the added discount further dropped the price of said item.
“I think it’s a great idea because some business clothes can be expensive, and some students may not have the funds for it, but it’s important to dress for success. And plus it makes you feel better about yourself,” coordinator for the Academic Initiative program Carly Young said. “I ran into a student who told me, ‘I feel like I can conquer the world now,’ so I feel like what we wear can affect how we feel about ourselves. First impressions are really important, and clothing plays a factor in that.”
Many students appreciated not breaking the bank and the , saying it’s great they can dress for the right occasion, without breaking the break. However, others appreciated its relaxed, fun atmosphere.
“It feels very homey, in a way, what with the snacks they have set up and how the employees greet and interact with you and help,” Brooke Vandergriff, a junior child development major, said. “It’s also really helpful cause a lot of us are in school and have part-time jobs where we get $8 or $9 an hour, so we can’t really afford to go out and spend $44 on a pair of dress pants that we would need for an interview without breaking the bank.”
