Career and Professional Development (CPD) at Virginia Tech aids undergraduate and graduate students in their professional endeavors. One way CPD helps Hokies prepare for job and internship opportunities is through Career Outfitters.

One of CPD's most popular programs, Career Outfitters launched in 2013 as a way to provide new or gently used business professional clothing to Virginia Tech students for interviews, meetings, career fairs, and more. However, COVID-19 compelled CPD to find new, creative ways to continue offering this valuable service.

Through Career Outfitters, students “shop” (free of charge) for business attire they can keep. “CPD is passionate about increasing access to internships and other experiential learning opportunities for students. We hope that Career Outfitters will assist students in their professional development and increase their confidence and participation in seeking out these opportunities by being able to dress the part,” said Kayla Branson, a Virginia Tech fashion merchandising and design alumna and the current program coordinator for Professional Development and Experiential Initiatives at CPD.

Branson has been involved with coordinating Career Outfitters throughout her time with the department. Becca Scott, the associate director of Professional Development and Experiential Initiatives, previously oversaw this program and supervised Branson when she was the student coordinator. Branson now supervises intern Sarah Latino, a senior in fashion merchandising and design.

“The pandemic gave us the opportunity to stop and think about how we might offer this experience to students in a new, ongoing, more individualized, and inclusive way in order to meet the needs of students wherever they are in their career journey,” Scott said. “It's so exciting to see the program adapting and changing with the needs of our student community. The passion that Kayla and Sarah have for this program is paramount to its success.”

“Prior to COVID-19, this program attracted over 700 students in a single day,” Branson said. As Career Outfitters is growing and expanding, it moved from an annual/bi-annual event to an ongoing, appointment-based program starting Jan. 25.

Latino has been working to organize the clothing closet to make it more gender-inclusive. She said the program is focusing on more inclusive verbiage, such as “feminine” and “masculine” instead of "men’s" and "women’s," to put the focus on the style of clothing a student prefers instead of assigning sections based on gender binaries. The program moving to appointment-based shopping will provide a more one-on-one unique and personalized experience.

Intern measuring student for sleeve length
Sarah Latino measures Anthony Shafron's sleeve length. Photo by Kelly Shannon for Virginia Tech.

“It’s important to feel safe and welcome in this environment by using gender-neutral language and not assuming what people want to wear,” Latino said.

Branson added, “We did a lot of research, engaged in discussions with campus partners, and met with a small focus group to make this program as inclusive and welcoming as possible. We will continue to make this a priority by actively seeking out feedback from students who participate.”

 

Career Outfitters has community and campus partners who donate new or gently used clothing, and often local businesses offer discounts on their professional goods and services. Most of the clothing donations come from faculty, staff, alumni, local community groups, and, occasionally, from local retailers such as Belk and Kohl’s. All donations are tax-deductible. Items that do not meet CPD's needs are donated to local community organizations.

“We’re trying to keep these donations local, whether they meet our needs or not,” said Branson. This spring, Career Outfitters will begin to accept monetary donations. “If there is a size or product type that is low in inventory and high in demand, monetary donations could help ensure that the closet is well stocked.”

Branson and Latino are continuing to work on Career Outfitters sustainability for a better and more environmentally friendly future and using or responsibly donating all clothing given to the career center. “We are doing everything we can so five to 10 years from now we will have greatly reduced the footprint we are leaving on our environment through this program. We look forward to investing more time toward our sustainability goals over the next year," said Branson.

“Being able to go somewhere and get items that make you feel comfortable and confident, that are also business appropriate, is a great thing that Virginia Tech offers,” Latino added.

During the spring semester, Branson and Latino also plan to host “pop-up shops” on campus, and they hope to continue expanding this beneficial program and to help students feel prepared and secure in what they’re wearing for their professional opportunities.

Anyone interested in making a clothing or monetary donation can call 540-231-6241 or email Branson. You can also follow on Instagram or the website for updates and events.

Students interested in obtaining business clothing can make an appointment on Handshake for their individualized shopping experience. Those interested in internship positions can check out the Campus internEXP program.

Written by Laura Cantagallo, a Campus internEXP intern assisting in marketing and events within Career and Professional Development.

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