As the Student Employability and Engagement Coordinator, I recently had the opportunity to accompany a group of our current female students to Dress for Success NSW & ACT-Illawarra. This marks the second year that Woolyungah has engaged with this valuable service to support our students.
Dress for Success is a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering women who are experiencing financial hardship or re-entering the workforce. They provide practical tools, resources, and support to help women build confidence and achieve employment success.
During our visit, we participated in the “Prepare for Interviews” workshop, which offered students practical strategies and insights to navigate the interview process with confidence.
In addition to this workshop, the organisation offers a Career Hub and delivers a range of workshops throughout the year, including:
- Job Search Skills
- Essential Work Skills
- Financial Management
- Well-being
This experience provided our students with valuable knowledge and skills to support their future career pathways.
Following the workshop, students took part in a styling session where each was paired with their own personal stylist. The stylists worked closely with the students to select outfits that not only looked professional but also made them feel comfortable and confident. Each student was fitted with a complete interview outfit, including shoes, a handbag, and accessories. These outfits were gifted to the students to keep, with no eligibility requirements.
The students felt incredibly special throughout the experience, and all shared how much they enjoyed the day.
I also greatly valued the opportunity to spend time with the students in a different setting, supporting them as they explored different styles and discovered what they liked and didn’t like. It was rewarding to see their confidence grow as they found outfits that reflected their personalities. Dress for Success also welcome appointments to help women attending court appearances, weddings, funerals and graduations.
Dress for Success also accepts donations, which can be dropped off at their Warrawong branch located at 2/210 Cowper Street, Warrawong. For more information or to contribute, please visit Donate | Dress for Success NSW & ACT.
