The Office of Career Services at Illinois Tech will take another step toward its goal of providing professional attire for students. The program will launch its first official clothing drive in the Career Services Center located in the McCormick Tribune Campus Center (MTCC) Room 106 on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The official opening date of the Career Clothing Closet will be announced in February and it will be located in Hermann Hall room 111. Students will be able to access it by appointment and during on-campus Career Fairs. The department’s mission is to provide students with professional attire for all career-related events and activities. All clothing and accessories will come from donations. After the launch, Career Clothing Closet donations will be accepted Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the same location. Donations are also accepted by appointment by contacting Career Services at careerservices@iit.edu.

Lisa Montgomery, Director of Employer Engagement, said the idea stemmed from past conversations with students who needed professional attire to feel confident in their career journey. “I would meet with many students who didn’t have proper clothing or were missing a few items. A new complete career ensemble makes all the difference between feeling confident or feeling unprepared,” Montgomery said.

Donations of traditional career-related clothing and accessories will be accepted at the drive. “We feel strongly about making sure there are sizes for everyone,” Montgomery said. To help make the project a success, Montgomery is asking students, local alumni, faculty, and staff to check their closets and see if they have professional attire—dress shirts, slacks, blazers, ties, and skirts—to donate. She also encourages students to speak with their family members to see if they have items they can donate as well.

“I get excited about this because it is something I’m super passionate about and I know our students appreciate the support,” Montgomery said.

Montgomery hopes that students will be comfortable and confident in pursuing and attending career-related events because they don’t have to worry about looking their best.