PCC, ECU and JCPenney Team on Special Shopping Event
WINTERVILLE—Pitt County’s higher-educational institutions partnered with JCPenney Oct. 14 for the benefit of students preparing to seek jobs after graduation.
More than 400 Pitt Community College and East Carolina University (ECU) students and their supporters came out to Greenville Mall for the “JCPenney Suit-Up Event” and received an extra 40 percent off career dress apparel. The exclusive shopping event, which took place after regular business hours, was the result of collaboration between JCPenney, PCC’s Career Services Department and Center for Student Activities, and the ECU College of Business.
“It really meant a lot to be included in this event,” said PCC Career Outreach Specialist Rachel Bridgers. “ECU’s School of Business participated in it last spring and saw a lot of success. As we have so many students who transfer to ECU after they complete their degrees at PCC and others who are dually-enrolled at both institutions, it felt like a perfect fit.”
Bridgers said PCC pulled out all the stops to create a festive atmosphere during the event. She said volunteers from the college’s Student Government Association and PCC Student Ambassador groups staffed the event, along with Pitt’s cheerleading and dance teams.
“PCC’s bulldog mascot, Bruiser, even joined the party and danced all night long with attendees,” Bridgers said, adding that PCC gift bags were given away throughout the evening and the PCC Foundation awarded $100-JCPenney gift cards to assist three lucky students with purchasing dress apparel.
“Money can be tight for students, and professional attire can be challenging to acquire for those with tight budgets,” Bridgers said. “… Our students deserve the chance to dress professionally at an affordable price and we’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with JCPenney to offer this exclusive shopping experience to them.”
Bridgers said she hopes the attire students purchased will help them in their search for employment. She noted that research shows professional clothing has a positive effect on people and added that a PCC employee noticed “a complete shift” in a student’s outlook as a result of the new professional clothing she purchased during the JCPenney event.
Bridgers said PCC is planning to partner with JCPenney and ECU on another Suit-Up Event in the spring.
10/22/2018