April 10, 2026

Forsyth Tech students walked away with more than just clothing at the recent CareerWear Fair—they left with confidence, relief, and a stronger sense of readiness for what comes next. 

Led by Career Services, the event welcomed 183 students and offered free professional clothing and accessories to help them prepare for the many career fairs hosted by the college and its employer partners, interviews, clinicals, and new career opportunities. 

What was the CareerWear Fair? 

The CareerWear Fair was designed to remove a common barrier many students face: access to professional clothing. Thanks to strong community support and generous donations, the event provided a wide range of items, including: 

  • Business and business casual clothing  
  • Shoes and socks  
  • Ties, scarves, and jewelry  

Organizers initially planned to provide one complete outfit per student. But with an overwhelming number of donations, students were able to take multiple outfits—giving them options and flexibility as they move forward in their careers. 

Why did it matter? 

For many students, the impact was immediate and personal. 

One student shared: 
“This event changed my entire career trajectory. I feel more confident now because when you look good, you feel good.” 

Another said: 
“I don’t have the funds to even go thrift shopping right now and have been borrowing friends’ clothing for interviews, so I am so appreciative of this.” 

Others spoke about timing and access: 
“This event was the perfect timing, I have an interview next week.” 

And for some, it opened new doors: 
“As a criminal justice student, I had no idea I would ever need business casual clothing… this is such a relief to have the appropriate clothing for my industry.” 

Even students who don’t usually attend campus events showed up—and were glad they did: 
“I don’t do campus events, but I’m so glad I did this one and I would come again anytime you have another one.” 

A moment that stood out 

One moment captured the spirit of the day. A student tried on a sport coat, stretched out his arms, and said, “I love it!” 

Another story left a lasting impression on the team. A student arrived quietly and shared that she had never shopped for clothes before. She only owned one pair of pants and didn’t know her size. With help from volunteers, she left with several complete outfits—and a new sense of confidence. 

Who made it possible? 

The success of the CareerWear Fair was a true team effort, with support from community partners and campus volunteers. 

Key contributors included: 

  • Goodwill of NWNC, which provided clothing racks, reusable bags, and staff support throughout the day  
  • Cook Medical, which hosted a clothing drive and provided volunteers to assist students  
  • Sara Singleton, who donated jewelry in memory of her mother  
  • Design faculty members Gisele Taylor Wells and Karyn Reilly, who helped style students  

Additional support came from staff across campus and even a student volunteer from Winston-Salem State University, who spent the day assisting and learning from the experience. 

How did it come together? 

“The idea for the CareerWear Fair was inspired by a similar event at UNC Greensboro,” said Beth Mitchell, Director of Career Services. After connecting with their team and visiting their event, Forsyth Tech staff brought the concept back and made it their own. 

The result was an event that Mitchell described as the best Forsyth Tech event she had ever experienced. 

What’s next? 

Based on the response, it’s clear the CareerWear Fair met a real need—and made a lasting impact. For many students, it was not just about clothing. It was about being prepared, feeling confident, and taking the next step toward a career. 

And for Forsyth Tech, it’s another example of meeting students where they are and helping them move forward.