(L-R) Leslie Martin, Career Services Specialist; Lanata Fournette, student; Danielle Powell, student; Lori Byargeon, Executive Director of Dress for Success; Chelsey Melancon, Enrollment Manager; Kelly Derbigny, Community Coordinator; Tracee Dundas, Program Coordinator at Dress for Success.
On Thursday, February 23, 2023, the graduating class of Goodwill Technical College (GTC) was invited to Dress for Success New Orleans. The mission of Dress for Success is to “empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life”. Leslie Martin, Career Services Specialist, coordinated this opportunity. Martin met representatives from Dress for Success at a Career Fair hosted by Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana, Inc. (GWSELA). Initially, Martin thought she’d ask the representatives to speak to students about proper interview attire, but once she was informed about the Suiting for Success Program, she knew “it was something our students needed to be a part of. I’m always looking for opportunities that will help put our students in the position to have career success once they complete their training,” said Martin.
The Dress for Success team personally fitted and styled each GTC student in their own professional attire, empowering them as they graduate and enter the job market. Student Monica Mcallister spoke about her positive experience. "The people were really nice, informative, and helpful," said Mcallister. "I was excited to try my clothes on again at home. They have some nice clothes, but the people most-of-all were very nice." Goodwill Technical College’s Enrollment Manager Chelsey Melancon, instructor Dylan Walker, and GWSELA's Community Coordinator, Kelly Derbigny, were also there to assist students with selecting career-ready clothing. “The students were very appreciative. Clothing can be expensive, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money. You just need one good professional look that you can wear to your interviews,” said Melancon.
After the event, Dress for Success invited Goodwill Technical College to return with future graduating classes, and instructor Dylan Walker looks forward to further collaboration. "I want to send a great thank you to Leslie Martin, our Goodwill Technical College Career Specialist, for organizing this event and for establishing this wonderful relationship," said Walker. "Dress for Success was such a blessing to our class, and I can't wait to see future graduates experience the confidence that clothing can provide."