Going pro -- An estimated 400 SUNY Oswego students scored discounted professional attire at the 2018 JCPenney’s Suit Up event at Destiny USA in Syracuse, a partnership with the college's Office of Career Services. This year's Suit Up event will take place Sunday, Oct. 6.
Career Services is partnering with JCPenney’s Destiny USA outlet in Syracuse for this year's Suit Up event, which helps students attain professional attire at deep discounts, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6.
All professional attire will be discounted 30 percent off the lowest ticketed price, which generally will result in up to 60 percent or more off all suits, shoes, blouses, shirts, socks, hosiery, ties, scarves and related apparel, organizers said. The first 220 students to register online will receive free charter bus transportation courtesy of Onondaga Coach line, from campus to the store and back.
The entire store is closed to the public and open only to SUNY Oswego students and parents. An unlimited number of Oswego students can attend the event. Students not taking the bus do not need to pre-register but to register at the event, students must bring their SUNY Oswego ID. Bus pickup and drop off details will be provided post-registration.
“It is an exclusive SUNY Oswego event," said Gary Morris, director of Career Services. "We have 50 plus staff members. We have music and giveaways to try and make this event as fun as possible.”
Ahead of the event, Career Services is raffling off five $100 gift certificates. The raffle ends on Oct. 1 at midnight. At the event, JC Penney gift cards will be raffled off.
For the previous and first Suit Up event, which is part of a national initiative by the company, more than 400 students attended and spent a combined $44,000 while saving more than $17,000, Morris noted. For that event, Oswego ranked first in the state and second in the nation in savings.
“I suspect that this year is going to be no different," Morris said, noting even "much more robust" interest for this edition. “It was a really successful event the first time around.”
Store staff members at the event will be available to take fittings, assist with merchandise and help with color and matching selections.
To register, for directions to JCPenney in Destiny USA or for more information, visit Career Services' Suit Up page.