Dominic Baez

Managing editor

Suburb Resident Advisers combined style with utility Nov. 18 when they hosted the “Dress for Success” event, a workshop tailored to educate students about the ins and outs of business attire.

The Suburb RAs decided to take a different approach to their events this year and  focus on workshops that help teach students valuable lessons they can use after graduation.

Senior Suburb RAs Justin Roisom and Jessica Kim both said the events are meant to be more substantial than those in years past.

“We wanted to teach things you can use in real life,” Roisom said. “Slip-n-slides and hot cocoa aren’t gonna cut it.”

Kim agreed, saying
people need to know how to dress for work and when to dress in certain types of clothing.

The event was similar to a fashion show. Participating models had their pictures taken while they were wearing inappropriate work attire, and those pictures were shown and critiqued. Afterwards, the models took a turn on the catwalk wearing what is considered work-appropriate. The students modeled three different types of work attire: casual, business causal and formal.

Models included seniors Jasmine Klauder, Chris Schuldt, Keldy Winters, Kelsey Habura and Ashley Ensminger and junior Bryan Borgmeier.

“These types of events are really cool, especially for seniors,” Klauder said. “We are preparing to go into the real world, and this is a good way to do it.”

Roisom and Kim said they tried to compile a diverse group of models for the show, but it turned out to be more of their friends than anything else. Also, they had to find students who actually knew how to dress appropriately and had to the attire to do so, something they said was no easy task.

Klauder modeled causal attire. While this was her first time doing any modeling, she said it was reminiscent of when she was on stage for theater productions she has been a part of, including the Gallery Theatre’s recent adaptation of Disney’s “High School Musical.”

The 45-minute show netted nearly 50 students, which is quite a turnout for any Residence Life event, especially on a Tuesday night, Roisom said. Concerning all the hard work that went into the event, both Roisom and Kim were excited that it turned out so well.

Though Roisom and Kim were in charge of coordinating the event, about a dozen other people also helped out, which made event planning smoother. The event took about a month of preparation.

As part of the event, prizes were raffled out to students. Prizes included gift certificates to Twist hair salon, Ross, Staples and other businesses. The prizes reflected the event’s purpose: aiding students in commanding the show at job interviews.

Roisom, Kim and Klauder all said they would recommend this type of event again.

“Even if they don’t do the activity again, even if they just put the awareness out there, it would be a good thing to continue in the future,” Klauder said.