News
Suit Up with GVSU in Traverse City
September 17, 2019
For many of us, figuring out exactly what to wear for an interview is like deciphering which fork to use at a formal dinner. The term business casual seems clear in concept, but standing in front of a rack of clothes the day before an important interview, things can get fuzzy in a hurry. Luckily, Grand Valley State University and JCPenney have us covered with their Suit Up event.
The Grand Traverse Mall location will be closed to the public, but open only for faculty, staff, and students from GVSU, NMC, and University Center partners. Please bring your friends and family out to multiply your savings!
On September 22nd, JCPenney will host a special sale, complete with everything you need to lessen your anxiety and also your bill. The department store will remain open after hours just for this event. The party starts at 6 p.m., and there will be snacks, raffles, and best of all help decoding exactly what will wow current or prospective employers or admissions committees
Racks will be marked with discounts on business and business casual appropriate items, taking all the guesswork out of finding the right look to be interview-ready. This Suit Up event in Traverse City is a continuation of a 3 year collaboration between JCPenney and GVSU, where twice a year Lakers have benefited from thorough research into employer expectations.
Organizers search online for the most current trends for business attire, and even make direct phone calls to Grand Rapids-area Human Resource departments. They create the handouts available at the event, and provide in-person support and in-style recommendations to all Suit Up attendees.
Grace Pushman with GVSU’s Career Center comments that the Suit Up event is her favorite to attend. She likes that students seem more confident “after leaving with piles of clothes,” knowing that they won’t accidentally end up on What Not To Wear, the graduate edition.
Grace also makes the keen observation that many people, especially students and teachers, may need certain clothing only once. A suit, for instance, may languish for years in a closet after a successful interview.
“For a suit that’s only a hundred dollars," she says, the event helps manage what could otherwise be a tricky expense, while providing a fun night and the chance to meet up with your fellow Lakers outside of class.
For more information contact Shannon Owen, Director of Northern Michigan Programs for Grand Valley State University at 231.995.1785 and at www.gvsu.edu/traverse. Join your fellow students, faculty and fellow alumni at JCPenney on Sunday, September 22nd at 6 p.m. to take advantage of the Suit Up event.