Runway to Success event teaches students to prepare, professionally brand themselves

Runway to Success is a professional fashion show that provides students with examples and advice of what is appropriate clothing to be worn in the work place and during interviews, according to the 2012 Runway Success Coordinator Michaela Fox.

The sixth annual Runway to Success event, hosted by Career Services, will be taking place on Wednesday, April 4 in the University Center Falcon’s Nest.

Local retailers lend professional clothing for the event that UWRF students model for the show. This year the various retailers include: Jos. A. Bank, Buckle, Maurices, GAP, Francesca’s, White House Black Market and Shopko. Land O’ Lakes and First National Bank of River Falls are the financial sponsors for the event.

The theme for this year’s event is “What’s Your Brand?”

“As social media is becoming a bigger part of today’s society, it’s important to keep your professional and personal image separate. Creating a professional brand for yourself, including finishing it off with professional clothing, students can learn to sell themselves in their future professions,” Fox said.

There will be four categories of clothing that will be displayed: Professional, Business Casual, Casual and What Not to Wear, along with half-time prize giveaways for students. Student models also will have an opportunity to purchase the outfits they model at a discounted price from the various retailers.

“First impressions are crucial and these examples will give students an edge in today’s competitive job market,” Fox said.

Career Services also offers a variety of assistance in preparing students for internships and the workforce, according to Career Services Director Melissa Wilson. Besides visiting their office, the Career Services website includes up-to-date resources spanning different majors, career fields, and alternatives to entering the workforce after graduation.

“Career Services prepares students who are job and internship searching in multiple ways. The office reviews resumes and cover letters for those applying to positions. The department also provides multiple trainings this spring offered in the form of events that will assist students in polishing soft skills that are necessary during the job/internship search such as dining etiquette, what professional dress should look like and how to dress for the interview, and how to navigate a networking event where both peers and professionals are in attendance,” Wilson wrote in an email.

The event has been popular with students and has had good attendance in the past, according to Anne Moore, junior and Career Services info specialist who has also been a model in the show for the past two years.

“I think this really helps students to see what clothing is appropriate of events they take part in. As the show has examples of what clothing is professional all the way down to what not to wear. I see more and more people at the Career Fair in the fall that are starting to dress more appropriately,” Moore said.

More information about Career Services and the Runway to Success event can be found at http://www.uwrf. edu/CareerServices/ or by contacting the Career Services office at (715) 425-3572.