We’re here to help you feel confident and career ready. We will show what works and what doesn’t work. What you wear makes an impact. First impressions matter.
With his dark slacks, luminous white shirt, silk necktie and light blue blazer, Alham Alipuly sure looked smooth.
Except for the wrinkles.
The Milwaukee Area Technical College student’s sleek, professional appearance was done in by creases and folds in his jacket.
On Wednesday, February 18, MATC students learned that details matter when dressing for success.
The college’s CareerHub presented a fashion show that displayed what students should and shouldn’t wear to career fairs, at job interviews and on the first day of work.
“We’re here to help you feel confident and career ready,” said Dionna Simmons, an employment development specialist with CareerHub. “We will show what works and what doesn’t work. What you wear makes an impact. First impressions matter.”
In the Student Lounge at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus, students and staff members modeled different outfits for the audience. Students’ clothing career appropriateness was determined by attendees waving red or green flags.
The final say was given by a panel of judges that consisted of Dr. Anthony Cruz, MATC’s president; Dr. Phillip King, MATC’s executive vice president and provost; Terra Scott, a talent acquisition consultant with Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago; Kobena-Marcus Collins, a recruiter with the City of Milwaukee; and Abdi Wege, a talent manager at biotechnology research firm MilliporeSigma.
The sartorial selections ranged from the good, the bad and the ugly.
The last was exemplified by Brian Weiland, who works in the CareerHub. He sported a hoodie, sweatpants, tennis shoes, headphones and an MATC backpack. He also was slurping an energy drink and munching potato chips.
Red flags went up immediately.
More red came up when Zania, an MATC student, strutted across the makeshift catwalk wearing thigh-high black leather boots, ripped blue jeans and a dark blazer.
“She’s cute,” said one audience member.
“If she’s looking to be a model, this is great,” said another. “If she’s going to a job interview? No way.”
Aniyah, another MATC student, earned plenty of green flags with her stylish black slacks, black and white blouse, well-combed hair and nice black shoes.
“Everything about this look is classy,” said Isamary Reyes, an employee specialist at CareerHub.
Alipuly got mixed reviews: His overall look was good, some people said, but his jacket was wrinkly and perhaps too casual for a job interview, others said.
“You should dress so that you can take the focus off of what you are wearing and make prospective employers focus on your education, your expertise and what you bring to the table,” said Wege, one of the judges.
Reyes agreed. “I think we have shown that simple is better,” she said.
CareerHub sponsored a similar fashion show last September.
Wednesday’s event also marked the opening of the college’s Career Closet, located on the second floor of the S Building next to the Student Resource Center.
The Career Closet provides free professional attire for students to attend job interviews and career fairs, like one being hosted by CareerHub on Wednesday, March 4, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Main Building, Room M605.
To use the Career Closet, students must fill out a form detailing their clothing sizes, then meet with a CareerHub employment specialist to review what kind of attire will best fit their field, said Haley Rose, manager of the Student Resource Center.
“We know that some students might not have the items they need for these events,” said Samatha Burgos, a retention coach who served as a model of what not to wear on Wednesday. “That’s what the Career Closet is for. If they want to find that fit, they have time to check it out and find what they need.”
Learn more about MATC’s CareerHub
About MATC: Wisconsin’s largest technical college and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. More than 35,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers more than 180 academic programs — many that prepare students for jobs immediately upon completion and others that provide transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees with more than 45 four-year colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.