Suited for Success: Removing Barriers, Building Confidence

Written by: Olivia Harris, Student Assistant for Student Outreach

When I first started working in the Office of Career Development, I noticed something that seemed small but carried real weight for many students: professional clothing can be expensive. For students preparing for their first interviews, internships, or networking events, the expectation to “dress professionally” can quickly become another barrier in an already stressful process. That realization is what first sparked the idea for Suited for Success.

Now in its third year, the event has grown into one of my favorite parts of my role at Career Development. What began as a small initiative has developed into a meaningful partnership with Dress for Success Pittsburgh, which brings a mobile boutique filled with professional clothing directly to our campus. Students can browse racks, try things on, and leave with outfits that help them feel ready to step into professional spaces with confidence. Watching students find something that makes them feel like the best version of themselves and leave with a bright smile on their face never gets old.

This year’s event saw our highest attendance yet, growing from around 40 students in previous years to 65 participants. To make the event even more welcoming, we also collaborated with Chatham Student Engagement and Leadership to facilitate the local vendor The Roaming Bean, whose coffee helped transform the event into more of a community gathering than exclusively a professional clothing resource.

From left to right: Olivia Harris ‘26 and Abigail Swartzbaugh 

The impact of the event was also reflected in student feedback. Survey results showed an average overall experience rating of 4.7 out of 5, with satisfaction in available options averaging 4.5. Just as importantly, students reported increased confidence in their professional readiness, with an average preparedness rating of 4.2 out of 5 and 80% of respondents indicating they felt more prepared to dress for interviews, work, and other career-related events after attending.

For me, Suited for Success has always been about more than clothing. It’s about removing barriers and helping students feel confident walking into opportunities that might otherwise feel intimidating. With our upcoming Spring 2026 Job & Internship Networking Mixer, it was especially exciting to see students leaving the event already thinking about how they might wear their new outfits to network with employers.

Seeing this event grow each year reminds me that sometimes the most impactful ideas start with simply noticing a problem and asking how we can make things a little easier for each other. And if that solution includes a good outfit and a cup of coffee, all the better.