Clothes the Gap Drive is Collecting Professional Attire

March 28, 2018

(L-R) Clothes the Gap organizers: Andrew Lahammer, Halle Lahammer, Jennifer Klinger, Ashley Ulriksen and Jay Madolid

By Hallie Edwards

Ashley Ulriksen knows in a job interview, appearances matter.

"When you feel like you don't look the part for that first impression, it can be discouraging and jeopardize your chances of landing the job," she said.

But professional attire can come at a steep price. As chapter president of the ODU Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), Ulriksen is part of a student effort to help remove the stress from dressing professionally.

SHRM's annual professional clothing drive, Clothes the Gap is being held through March. Students of SHRM are collecting gently worn business attire; everything from your least flattering suit to the belt that hasn't fit in five years.

"This event gives job candidates the ability to focus on landing a job, instead of worrying about what to wear," Ulriksen said.

Donation bins are located in the Perry Library Commons, Constant Hall, Batten Arts & Letters and Career Development Services. The group also partnered with Albano Cleaners to have bins placed at all 21 locations in Hampton Roads.

"This is an all-hands-on-deck project," Ulriksen said.

Now in its fourth year, Clothes the Gap was the brainchild of Rachel Frieder, an assistant professor of management in the Strome College of Business. As faculty co-adviser of ODU SHRM, Frieder knew her students could dovetail their service project with their enthusiasm for human resources and management.

Jennifer Klinger, a lecturer of management and this year's SHRM adviser, sees Clothes the Gap as a service project and teaching tool.

"I believe it is crucial for students to see the link between taking what they learn in classes and being able to apply it in a professional environment," she said.

At the end of March, SHRM students will collect the bins and have a sorting party to take inventory of donations. Organizers hope Clothes the Gap will help job seekers and new hires refresh their wardrobe and confidence.

"I have talked with hardworking and motivated individuals who are determined to land their dream job but don't have the access to professional clothing for that first impression in an interview," Ulriksen said.

Junior Halle Lahammer added, "although clothes are superficial, they can completely change a person's outlook on life, a job, and their confidence."

In past years, collected clothing went to nonprofits Samaritan House, Union Mission and Hampton Roads Dress for Success. This year, students will deliver apparel to Big Blue's Closet located in the Strome College of Business.

Big Blue's Closet ensures ODU students and the community have the business attire they need when searching for gainful employment. With Clothes the Gap, Hampton Roads professionals will have the right ensemble to empower their job search.

Donate at campus locations or Albano Cleaners through the end of March.