The Spartan Career Closet and Spartan Clothes Closet are two programs that work to provide accessible clothes for students at San Jose State.
Trisha Gilges, who manages the Career Closet, said she was inspired to start the program in 2018 after seeing other universities start their own programs to assist students with professional clothing.
“We started off super small, asked for a few donations, got a small budget and purchased a few things at that time,” Gilges said. “After the pandemic, it really took off.”
She said the program receives thousands of pieces of clothing per semester.
“We were doing like 50 to 100 appointments a semester and we’ve shot up to about 500,” Gilges said.
She said the closet carries an array of sizes for students who aren’t able to find clothes that fit.
Gilges said students will be called back when their size becomes available if the organization cannot find clothes suitable to students.
In 2021, the average American spent $1,754 on apparel and services, according to the Consumers Expenditures Report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Gilges said the best part about her job is seeing students' reactions after picking out their outfits.
“I’ve literally had students almost in tears when they’re so excited because they got a whole free outfit,” Gilges said. “Something that would have cost them hundreds of dollars if they were to go to Macy’s and try to find something like it.”
Christa Bacon, resource and operation lead at the Career Center, said new business clothes can help students make a good first impression.
“We could really see where there was a need for the students to have professional clothing for interviews,” Bacon said. “We had minimal funding and we’re really surprised by the success that it had, like the overwhelming desire for students to have that professional outfit so that they can feel really confident going into an interview.”
Bacon said the best part of impacting students is making the job process a little easier for them.
“An interview is a very stress inducing thing for most people,” Bacon said. “They can come in and get that outfit for that interview and I think the goal for the closet in my mind is making a stressful event easier.”
Gilges said the Career Closet works with other organizations on campus, including the Spartan Clothes Closet.
The Office of Sustainability and SJSU Cares partnered to create the Spartan Clothes Closet, which allows students to donate clothing to help other students according to the Office of Sustainability’s website.
Office of Sustainability intern Rebecca Carmick said the Clothes Closet has helped 250 students since its opening in 2020.
“The Clothes Closet initiative was designed to help alleviate two major issues: massive waste generated annually by discarded clothing and students unable to meet their basic needs,” Carmick said. “It is important to have a place on campus where students are able to get necessary clothing items that come at no cost to them.”
Carmick said the Clothes Closet has grown to what it is today because of donations from students, faculty, staff and alumni.
“The clothing that they donate is what helps keep the Clothes Closet fully stocked all year round,” Carmick said. “Additionally, we take graduation gown donations so that the garment can get another use and students that may not take part in the ceremony because of costs will be able to participate.”
Speech pathology graduate student Alejandra Canas, who works as the peer career advisor at the Career Closet, said the point of the Career Closet is to give to every student an opportunity at getting work attire.
“We get a wide variety of students whether they’re low income, or middle class or in between,” Canas said. “It’s open for everyone, regardless of economic status.”
Canas said she didn’t know about the Career Closet until she started working there.
“Looks are the first thing that people notice about you, regardless of whether we like it or not,” Canas said. “If you present yourself as a well put together [and] professional person ready to work, it already increases their perception of you.”
