SALT LAKE CITY -- The University of Utah is introducing a new program to help students look and feel their best as they interview for their first major job.
The program is called “Suit Up”, and it provides a free, donated suit from the Summit Group and the faculty at the U of U. In addition to the suit, students also receive professional job-seeking advice from the Summit Group.
Kelly Dries is a career counselor for the U of U, and she said this is a good way to help students succeed.
“The economy’s really tough right now, so we want to do all we can to make sure students are dressing successfully for interviews and upcoming career fairs,” she said.
Jessica Martinez said she gets nervous about job interviews, and she is glad to get a suit for free.
“It’s really nice,” she said. “It’s a good pinstripe. I’m really excited to wear it. To get it from the U for free is really exciting because I don’t have a lot of money, and my car just broke down.”
Peter Anderson is participating in the program, and he said he is grateful for it.
“I’m really glad that they have things like this, because for college students like myself ready to graduate, the only thing that’s on our minds is getting a job.”
Sharon Roux is the chief operating officer at the Summit Group, and she said prospective employees need to demonstrate their value to an employer.
“The most important thing is that they are able to articulate their experience, and how that helps an employer,” she said. “Because sometimes they come in and think that it’s all about them, and it’s actually about what they can do for an employer.”
The event was organized by the university’s career services department in preparation for the spring career fair, which is in just a few weeks.
