College of Business News Release
May 1, 2008
CONTACT:
Frances Ryan, WSU CB Public Relations/Communications Coordinator
509/335-3957, frances_ryan@wsu.edu
WSU Business Students Offer Career Workshops; Open Cougar Closet for Community Members
PULLMAN, Wash. – Business students at Washington State University have teamed with social service organizations and WSU alumni to create the Cougar Closet, an outreach program that offers career preparation services and professional clothing for job interviews to community members looking to re-enter the workforce.
The Cougar Closet is run by WSU Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), a registered student club in the College of Business. The group is working with the local WorkSource office, a state-run employment service; Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse; and Community Action Center to provide training seminars and workshops. Topics covered include resume writing, interview techniques, and dress etiquette. Participants are able to visit the closet to select an outfit upon completion of the workshops.
Former WSU students and friends of the college Connie Ostrander and Vicki Gordon approached the college about the initial idea, and started contacting their family and friends for donations to the program. Within a short time more than 20 people had donated their own gently used business suits to the closet. “I’m so pleased to have the opportunity to work with the College of Business on this important project,” says Ostrander. “This is a chance to help people in the community to not only learn valuable skills, but a way to prepare deserving people for the work force – from resume and cover letter tips, to business-appropriate interview clothing. It’s a chance to help someone succeed.”
CB Dean Eric Spangenberg confirmed his support of the project and provided some startup money from the Dean’s Excellence Fund and the Maughmer Freedom Philosophy Chair funds. This allowed the SIFE team to organize the closet and hold the first seminars. The Port of Whitman donated unoccupied space in Pullman’s industrial park to use as the “storefront” for the closet, and clothing racks were donated by Macy’s in Tri-Cities.
Workshops will be held several times each year and access to the closet will be provided as needed. “I’m very proud of the SIFE students for bringing this incredible project together," says Debra McCarver, the team’s faculty advisor. “They showed incredible initiative in organizing and putting together all the pieces. It’s very exciting to see the variety of organizations working together for this project.”
The WSU College of Business is accredited at the baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral levels by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The college spans the four campuses of WSU with the largest campus in Pullman and urban campuses located in Spokane, Vancouver, and the Tri-Cities area. The college conducts scholarly and applied research, and offers degree programs in a variety of business disciplines, and in hospitality business management, supplementing face-to-face offerings through innovative online learning and international programs. For more information, visit the college’s Web site at www.business.wsu.edu.