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Keesha Duke and Toya Hickmon dress up as apart of the College of Business' Third Thursdays iniative. [Click to enlarge]

Karen Polk displays her professional attire on a Third Thursday. [Click to enlarge]

Sept. 16 marked the official start of the business and professional dress day for the Tennessee State University College of Business.  Every third Thursday of the month, COB students are asked to dress in professional or business-casual attire while attending class and other daily activities. 

The Student Leadership Coalition in collaboration with their advisors came up with the idea for Third Thursdays during the 2003-2004 Association of Advanced Collegiate Schools of Business international accreditation period.

“This day was implemented so that the students in the College of Business could learn the importance of a professional appearance,” said Lisa Smith, director of public service for the COB.

The professional dress day was given the name Third Thursdays to mimic the catchy First Fridays title given to the 21-and-up professional gatherings occurring at different locations in Nashville every first Friday of the month.

Third Thursdays feature young men dressed in business suits of mainly dark colors such as the classic black suit or navy blue suit.  Some men sport the more casual look of khakis or dress slacks with button-up dress shirts or polo shirts.  Women dress in business suits as well.  Most of the suits are black or gray with light blouses underneath.  Women who choose the more casual business route achieve the look with dark colored slacks and assorted blouses.

“I wish we could have a professional dress week instead of just one day,” said Bryan Lowe, a graduate student from Atlanta. “Students should get accustomed to dressing up more often. It is getting us in tune with our future.”

Along with the opportunity to perfect a professional and polished image, COB students also participate in workshops and seminars.  The first seminar held on Sept. 16 was titled Getting that Job the Write Way: Resume Writing for Seniors.  The seminar was conducted on the TSU Avon Williams campus by Anita Martin, director of workforce development for the Urban League of Middle Tennessee.  The purpose of the seminar was to teach students everything they needed to know about the dos and don’ts of resume writing.

“They (COB seminars) are conducted by corporate and industry leaders from the Nashville business community,” Smith said.

The next Third Thursday seminar, What’s Your Statement?: Networking Protocol and Professional Projection, is expected to be held on Oct. 21.  The seminar is to be conducted by Tracey Pleasants and Christine Tolliver, human resource department representatives from Fleetguard, Inc.

On Nov. 18 the COB will host its upper division pinning ceremony for the students who have received full admission into the college.  Professional dress is required at the pinning ceremony, and with Third Thursdays in place, COB students are expected to be on their way to becoming professionally dressed, professional business men and women.

“(Third Thursdays) is something we need to do to prepare for the real world of business,” said LaQuisha George, a senior from St. Louis majoring in business management.  “Many of the students feel this way, but a vast majority did not dress up on the 16th. Hopefully, more business students will dress up next month as the idea catches on.”•

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