JCPenney department store partnered up with LBCC and Cal State University Long Beach (CSULB) to throw its annual Suit-Up event, offering 30% discounts for students, staff, alumni, friends and family at the Lakewood Center Mall on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
LBCC career center and the workforce development center joined the annual event this year for the first time, teaming up with CSULB to support students who may need professional dress apparel for job interviews, graduations, or any other matters.
LBCC culinary arts student Kaleb Brown said, “It’s cool seeing people you know and this was right on time because I have a job interview coming up next week, so the timing is perfect.”
Students signed in along with their guests at the front of the department store and were given gift bags with snacks, water, and coupons for discounts.
“I have suits, but I am shopping with my father too and it’s good to get something new,” Brown said.
Brown’s father wasn’t the only person who came to the event to support their family member, Jason Munoz came to support his wife and LBCC medical student, Ana Barrera.
“I believe they invited my wife and we are here to support her so she could look presentable and have professional clothing not always having to wear a t-shirt and tennis shoes,” Munoz said.
JCPenney Portraits by Lifetouch passed out coupons during the event and offered discounts for high resolution, professional headshots for those who want to enhance their professional photos for their portfolios, or even social media profiles like LinkedIn.
Crystal Armenta, studio portraits manager for Lifetouch said, “This is a chance to get a free full digital album, you will be recognized more on your business profiles and you will receive more views for your networking.”
The regular rates for one digital image to a digital album cost $60 to $170, but with the coupon the prices drop to $30 to $70.
According to Linkedin, headshots can help boost your networking efforts while making your profile stand out.
JCPenney Portraits by Lifetouch claims that the recognition with business profiles will get you 21% more views from recruiters, and 36 times more messages, and nine times more requests to connect.
“It’s always good to have a pro headshot for business purposes and any type of media,” Armenta said.
Professional headshots weren’t the only promotional discount that JCPenney had to offer, they also offered discounted haircuts, beauty supplies, and free hair product samples like Curlbond from Devacurl.
Thomas Hawelka, master stylist for JCPenney styling salon said, “This event is to help young college kids get prepared for the business world, their looks could make a big difference on how they feel about themselves and do better in an interview.”
The event happens twice a year, once in the spring semester as well as the fall semester, giving students an opportunity to see what JCPenney has to offer.
Nike stopped its contracts with over five retailers according to Forbes website, JCPenney being one of them.
JCPenney assistant manager, Lauren Malone said, “We don’t carry Nike anymore, but an event like this gives a chance to capture that young audience.”
LBCC career center made its presence known by greeting students and guests at the door, showing support and allowing students to enter raffles to win prizes.
Jorge Rios, LBCC career co-coordinator said, “The goal here is to support our students and raise awareness on the importance of professional career clothing because access to clothing is expensive and we are in a bad economy, so any little detail is very much needed.”
These promotional discounts weren’t available to the general public and were a great opportunity for students to learn about career services that LBCC has to offer.
Stephanie Jimenez-Castillo, a success coach for the LBCC career center and CSULB second- year master student said, “I’m in the student development in higher education program and this will start to be an annual thing for us at LBCC, it’s our first time doing it, but we will continue this partnership.”
The career center also informed students about the career workshops that take place at LBCC, and Lucy Vu, LBCC counselor for student support services said, “We wanted access for our students to have professional quality clothing for interviews and we have the Viking Vault but they can’t always find that kind of stuff.”
LBCC always has special events like this one and they have many programs to help its students succeed.
The next JCPenney suit up event will be in the Fall semester, check the LBCC calendar for upcoming events at https://www.lbcc.edu/calendar.