Last week, we hosted the Professional Attire and Scrubs Exchange, a clothing giveaway designed to help graduate and professional students prepare for interviews, internships, and clinical experiences. The event focused on professional attire and medical scrubs, making it easier for students to access items they may only need a few times—but that can come with a high price tag.
The exchange was a collaborative effort organized by the Office of Career Readiness & Workforce Development, Office of Sustainability, Graduate and Professional Student Affairs, and Wellness and Health Promotion, with additional volunteer support from Alumni Affairs, the Library, and the College of Dentistry. This cross-campus partnership helped ensure the event was welcoming, well-organized, and impactful.
The event was a great success: 98 students participated, and we found new homes for 69 pounds of clothing. Most attendees were medical students, likely due to the event’s location near their academic building. The most popular items included 14 scrub pieces, 13 blazers, and 7 pairs of professional pants—clear indicators of what students need most as they prepare to enter professional settings.
This event would not have been possible without the generosity of our community. We extend a sincere thank you to everyone who donated clothing, helping ensure these items could support students as they prepare for important professional milestones. Your contributions directly helped reduce financial barriers while promoting reuse and sustainability on campus.
Students also shared what they’d like to see next. The number one request? Shoes. Interview-appropriate footwear can be expensive and is often worn only a handful of times, making it a perfect fit for future exchanges. Looking ahead, we hope to host another event in the spring or summer on the other side of campus to better reach additional health professional students. We’re also excited about the possibility of establishing a more permanent, accessible location on campus where students can visit regularly to find professional clothing when they need it most.
