North Carolina Central University’s (NCCU) Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) has formed a partnership with Macy’s to enhance student career readiness by providing professional attire and employment opportunities. This collaboration was born out of the CPDC’s initiative to expand the resources available to students through The Clutch Closet, the university’s professional clothing closet.
The partnership began with a cold call to the Macy’s at Southpoint Mall, where Jamaal Bowden, assistant director of the CPDC, connected with store manager Amgad Habib. Surprisingly, Habib had been eager to collaborate with NCCU but had not known where to start. A meeting was quickly arranged, and both parties shared a mutual interest in not only providing students with professional garments but also creating job opportunities for them. Within a week of their initial discussion, five NCCU Eagles secured seasonal employment at the Southpoint mall location.
Despite its promising start, establishing the collaboration came with challenges. Determining the best date and time for a Pop-Up Shop that would maximize student engagement and negotiating a sustainable discount model required careful coordination. Through collaboration, CPDC and Macy’s ensured that the event aligned with student schedules and provided affordability for participants.
The Macy’s Pop-Up Shop is scheduled for Monday, March 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the NCCU Student Center, room 2201-2202. The event is open to faculty, staff and students. Macy’s will offer up to a 30% discount on professional attire and up to a 15% discount on cosmetics and fragrances.
“Off-campus and inner-city transportation is a struggle for many of our students, and this initiative removed that barrier,” Bowden said.
Both CPDC and Macy’s anticipate expanding their collaboration to include discounted shopping events, internship and job opportunities, payroll deduction benefits for NCCU employees, professional development workshops, and participation in NCCU career fairs. As the partnership grows, CPDC aims to designate Macy’s as an Eagle Employer of Excellence, a title reserved for companies demonstrating a strong commitment to NCCU student success.
When students feel prepared and appropriately dressed for interviews, internships and networking events, they present themselves more confidently, making a positive impression on potential employers.
Beyond retail, CPDC envisions similar partnerships across various industries, including technology, healthcare, finance and marketing. Collaborations with these sectors could introduce NCCU students to job shadowing, industry-specific workshops and exclusive networking events. Bowden advises students to attend career fairs, workshops, and networking events, refine their resumes to align with industry expectations, seek mentorship opportunities and practice professionalism in all their interactions.
“Career growth is a journey,” Bowden said. “If things don’t fall into place right away, keep honing your skills, seeking opportunities, and networking—success will follow with persistence.”