MACON, Ga. — Many college students are headed to job interviews, but building a closet with professional clothes can be expensive.
That's why Mercer University is opening Blazers for Bears, a career closet for students to rent donated blazers or ties for free.
A few graduate students at Mercer are the driving force behind Blazers for Bears, because they know the cost of looking professional all too well.
"I remember like my senior year when I had to have an interview, I actually didn't have a blazer,” Theodora Ristic said. “So, I had to ask people around, borrow from a friend and stuff. So, I think this will make it easier for a lot of people."
They are getting the blazers cleaned and stocking the shelves before it officially opens to students on Sept. 3.
"I think it's a wonderful thing,” Satchel Sumner said. “Regardless of the situation that the student might be in we just want to make sure that they're supported, and they have the resources to succeed, so when they're in that interview, they can be their most confident selves."
The career closet has men and women’s blazers, and any Mercer student can rent one for two weeks. Rental reservations can be made through the university's Handshake app.
Although the closet is housed in the Stetson-Hatcher School of Business, any mercer student can use it to get spiffy for a job interview.
“The biggest thing that students could know about the career closet is just to come in and look,” Garrett Kemp said. “Don’t think just because you have a small interview or something that it's not worth wearing professional clothing. It's always worth wearing professional clothing, getting dressing the best that you can for these opportunities. Because your first impression is the biggest impression that you're going to make on people, and that's the most important in those interviews.”
At the end of a two-week rental, the student needs to return it to the career closet. Then, it can be cleaned and used again by another Mercer bear.
Blazers for bears is accepting donations. You can bring blazers of any size and ties to any Gem Cleaners in Macon or to Stetson Hall on campus.