Abstract
The vision of the Career Development Center (CDC) at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
College (SMWC) is to build relationships with and connections between students,
alumni, faculty, and employers that lead to transformational experiences and outcomes.
(Staff, 2009) The CDC works to achieve this vision, and prepare students professionally
for this transition by offering a variety of programs that place students in enriching work
environments, assisting students with personal branding and marketing, as well as
offering opportunities for practical application of professional etiquette and behaviors.
Through a variety of workshops and other programming, students are educated on the
“soft skills” that are so highly sought after by employers.
New to the program offerings is the Well Suited for the Job Boutique, a
professional clothing program that provides, at no cost, gently-used professional
clothing to SMWC students. This clothing is given to students to wear for professional
events that include, but are not limited to: job and internship interviews, career and
graduate school fairs, networking and etiquette events and other programs that require
suitable professional attire. The name Well Suited for the Job Boutique was selected to
reflect the professional preparation that the CDC strives to offer every student.
According to Truex, “Business names serve a very important function for success. The
name you choose for your thrift store will eventually come to represent your brand.
When consumers see or hear your name, an image of what your business offers and
represents will come to mind.” (Truex) In this instance, the name represents both what
the Boutique offers — high quality interview and business wear; and it reflects the goals
for the Career Development Center — students and graduates equipped with the skills,
knowledge and professional behaviors that are ready to meet an employers’ needs. The
decision to call the space where this program is housed a boutique connects the French
origin of the word “boutique” to the French heritage of SMWC. Additionally, a boutique
is defined as any small, exclusive business offering customized service. This definition aligns with the mission of this program and the CDC.
