Bruess talks business

Gone are the pandemic days of getting away with a professional top and not-so-professional sweatpants on a business Zoom call.

As in-person events, networking opportunities and interviews return, it’s time to get back out there — and to do so in style.

To help college students prepare, the Bennies in Business Club and the Experience Hub joined together in collaboration with the Bennie and Johnnie Career Closets on Wednesday, Feb. 11 to host a special “Dress for Success” event.

While the concept behind the event is not new, this was the first time that it was designed for both Bennies and Johnnies, as well as the first time that the Experience
Hub has been a part of it, hosting it in their XPD lounge.

Whether preparing for the upcoming Dinner with Alums event, Minnesota Private Colleges Fair or future interviews, the goal was to encourage students to be mindful of how they show up in professional settings.

“The main purpose is to get people more confident in what they are wearing and feeling good for any type of situation,” Izzy Gonzalez, CSB senior and Vice President of Bennies in Business, said.

The event began with a presentation by guest speaker Dr. Carol Bruess.

Bruess, who holds an undergraduate degree in art and design and a PhD in communication, opened by sharing her own interest in fashion alongside her expertise
in communication and self-presentation.

“I think everyone can attest that she’s just super awesome and has had so many great life experiences that she’s been able to share with our student body,” Gonzalez said, concerning why she chose Bruess as the speaker. “A lot of us want to emulate her style and so many [students] look up to her.”

Bruess framed the talk around a central question: Why should students care about how they dress?

“I like to frame this presentation as: Why should you care? Because we are always, intentionally or unintentionally, sending messages about ourselves,” Bruess said. “One cannot not communicate.”

Drawing on research, Bruess highlighted how clothing can influence behavior and performance.

She cited a study from the Journal of Social, Psychological and Personality Science in which participants wore either formal business attire or casual clothing before completing cognitive tests.

“Essentially, wearing formal business attire increased subjects’ ability to do abstract thinking,” Bruess said.

She also pointed to other findings connecting dress and appearance to confidence and performance, factors that play a large role in professional environments.

Additionally, Bruess shared with students some practical wardrobe advice, emphasizing that dressing well does not have to be expensive.

“You do not have to spend a dime to dress in a way that will not distract from your goals in the professional world,” Bruess said.

She encouraged students to borrow from friends, take advantage of the Bennie and Johnnie career closets, use an iron, pick up a thread and needle from Clemens’s
Makerspace and ensure that clothes fit properly.

The presentation also addressed the often-enigmatic language of dress codes, such as “business casual,” “cocktail attire” and “black tie optional.”

Bruess advised students to research expectations within specific contexts.

“It’s your job to find out what this means,” Bruess said. “Ask your supervisor, ask the other interns, look at the company’s social media pages and figure it out.”

While keeping in mind professional expectations, Bruess urges students to embrace personal style and self-expression.

“I love mid-century fit-and-flare dresses, I love men’s wear with a little twist, I love the way colors work together,” Bruess said of her own fashion influences. “So, get creative but be yourself.”

Following Bruess’ talk, the event shifted to an interactive format.

Students could receive free professional headshots through the Experience Hub for LinkedIn profiles and future job applications, as well as resume-building assistance.

The Bennie and Johnnie’s Career Closets also brought in clothes to demonstrate appropriate attire for different professional settings, with opportunities for students to take some items home with them.

Gonzalez said that she appreciated Bruess’s insight and hoped this event was helpful to the Bennies and Johnnies who attended.