First Impression Equity Project for LER Students
Donation protected
First Impression Equity for LER students:
First impressions count. For better or worse, how we present ourselves the first time we meet anyone – including job recruiters - sets the tone for the rest of the interaction. For incoming LER students – the opportunity should be equal – as each incoming student comes with strong academic credentials, experiences, and skills that were needed to be admitted. Yet, we do not all come in with the same ability to obtain the professional clothing that contributes to that important visual first impression. Add to that the fact that for many, not worrying about your attire reduces anxiety and adds to each candidate’s confidence.
Within the first three days at LER, students need to dress professionally for headshots used in recruitment and employer presentations. Each student attends 2-6 informational and networking sessions a week in the following months. These information sessions, job fairs, and interviews require students to show up continually at their mental and professionally-attired best. While many students receive scholarships, these funds are quickly used for tuition, fees, and the many other immediate costs (books, lodging, etc.). It must be incredibly disheartening to be overlooked based on clothing when you have so much to offer.
Thus it is clear, there is an opportunity to set a true level playing field for the highly competitive and intense internship recruitment programs.
The First Impression Equity Opportunity Project aims to address this professional attire clothing accessibility gap. This fund would allocate money for low-income students to purchase clothing needed to succeed at LER as a student and human resources professional. It would assist students in achieving their present and future career goals. It also helps LER by ensuring that they can recruit top talent and present that talent successfully to employers.
This fundraiser is LER student-driven and it has the full support of the LER Leadership team. The First Impression Project’s Student Committee collaborates with LER’s Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations, Cory Hatfield, to ensure the funds allocated are monitored, tracked, and awarded properly.
FAQ:
Q: Doesn’t the career center have a closet for professional clothes?
A: Unfortunately, that was discontinued.
Q: How much will be given to students?
A: With your support, our goal is to support up to seven students per year with a gift of $150 to purchase one full business professional outfit.
Q: How will you know that the gifts are used for clothing?
A: Gift recipient students will be required to provide receipts for their purchases within a specific timeframe.
Q: How will you decide who gets the money?
A: There is an application process that was developed by LER leadership and the First Impression Student Committee. It includes application form, careful review process by LER Leadership who will make the gift decisions. This is to ensure confidentiality and privacy for all applicants.
Q: Is my donation tax-deductible?
A: Gifts made through this particular GoFundMe fundraiser are NOT tax deductible. However, if you are seeking a tax deductible option, gifts may be made directly through LER and the University of Illinois Foundation by visiting here: https://ler.illinois.edu/alumni/give/ and selecting the “LER Student Emergency Fund”. The student gift awards will be deposited, managed, and awarded by LER through the LER Emergency Fund.
**Fun Fact: Your company may match your gift!
If you plan to make a gift, and submit to your charitable gift matching program through an employer, gifts must be made through the LER Website and/or the University of Illinois Foundation. Click the link above or for questions regarding the matching gift programs offered, please contact Cory Hatfield. Cory's contact information can be found here .
First impressions count. For better or worse, how we present ourselves the first time we meet anyone – including job recruiters - sets the tone for the rest of the interaction. For incoming LER students – the opportunity should be equal – as each incoming student comes with strong academic credentials, experiences, and skills that were needed to be admitted. Yet, we do not all come in with the same ability to obtain the professional clothing that contributes to that important visual first impression. Add to that the fact that for many, not worrying about your attire reduces anxiety and adds to each candidate’s confidence.
Within the first three days at LER, students need to dress professionally for headshots used in recruitment and employer presentations. Each student attends 2-6 informational and networking sessions a week in the following months. These information sessions, job fairs, and interviews require students to show up continually at their mental and professionally-attired best. While many students receive scholarships, these funds are quickly used for tuition, fees, and the many other immediate costs (books, lodging, etc.). It must be incredibly disheartening to be overlooked based on clothing when you have so much to offer.
Thus it is clear, there is an opportunity to set a true level playing field for the highly competitive and intense internship recruitment programs.
The First Impression Equity Opportunity Project aims to address this professional attire clothing accessibility gap. This fund would allocate money for low-income students to purchase clothing needed to succeed at LER as a student and human resources professional. It would assist students in achieving their present and future career goals. It also helps LER by ensuring that they can recruit top talent and present that talent successfully to employers.
This fundraiser is LER student-driven and it has the full support of the LER Leadership team. The First Impression Project’s Student Committee collaborates with LER’s Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations, Cory Hatfield, to ensure the funds allocated are monitored, tracked, and awarded properly.
FAQ:
Q: Doesn’t the career center have a closet for professional clothes?
A: Unfortunately, that was discontinued.
Q: How much will be given to students?
A: With your support, our goal is to support up to seven students per year with a gift of $150 to purchase one full business professional outfit.
Q: How will you know that the gifts are used for clothing?
A: Gift recipient students will be required to provide receipts for their purchases within a specific timeframe.
Q: How will you decide who gets the money?
A: There is an application process that was developed by LER leadership and the First Impression Student Committee. It includes application form, careful review process by LER Leadership who will make the gift decisions. This is to ensure confidentiality and privacy for all applicants.
Q: Is my donation tax-deductible?
A: Gifts made through this particular GoFundMe fundraiser are NOT tax deductible. However, if you are seeking a tax deductible option, gifts may be made directly through LER and the University of Illinois Foundation by visiting here: https://ler.illinois.edu/alumni/give/ and selecting the “LER Student Emergency Fund”. The student gift awards will be deposited, managed, and awarded by LER through the LER Emergency Fund.
**Fun Fact: Your company may match your gift!
If you plan to make a gift, and submit to your charitable gift matching program through an employer, gifts must be made through the LER Website and/or the University of Illinois Foundation. Click the link above or for questions regarding the matching gift programs offered, please contact Cory Hatfield. Cory's contact information can be found here .
Fundraising team (3)
Kassandra Hegg
Organizer
Champaign, IL
Darby Halper
Team member
Damond Jones
Team member
