Hannah Morgan, agriculture outreach specialist at WVU Parkersburg, walks the runway wearing personal protective equipment during the Dress for Success Fashion Show Thursday. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — WVU Parkersburg hosted a Dress for Success Fashion Show Thursday, one last step to help students prepare for the second annual Reverse Career Fair, by showing the importance of professional attire when looking for that first post-college job.

At the Reverse Career Fair students will have the opportunity to connect with employers across the Mid-Ohio Valley.

The job fair is set for 1-3 p.m. April 9 in the WVUP Multi purpose room.

Unlike a traditional job fair where employers host booths, the Reverse Career Fair allows students to take the lead with their own tables featuring professional displays, resumes and portfolio materials, while employers circulate throughout the event to meet with them.

Participating students will create a 19-by-29-inch poster highlighting their experience and skills, along with a QR code linking to their LinkedIn profile.

Participants in the WVU Parkersburg Dress for Success Fashion Show – including Associate Director of Business Services Brent Dotson, center, in an example of what not to wear – take a final walk down the runway to close the event Thursday at the college. (Photo Provided)

Students invested several hours in preparation, including mock interviews and professional etiquette training sessions.

The Dress for Success Fashion Show served as a lead-in to the event, giving students practical guidance on how to present themselves professionally.

Mary Casto, career services specialist at WVU Parkersburg, said the fashion show offered a fun and engaging way to reinforce an important part of career readiness.

“The Dress for Success Fashion Show is a collaboration for fun, learning and promotion for the career fair,” Casto said.

Thursday’s event featured 16 WVU Parkersburg faculty and staff members walking the runway to demonstrate workplace-appropriate attire while highlighting common fashion mistakes to avoid in interviews and professional settings.

Jared Gump, dean for academic affairs at WVU Parkersburg, poses at the end of the runway wearing one of his signature sweaters during the Dress for Success Fashion Show Thursday. (Photo Provided)

The event highlighted the WVUP cosmetology program. Cosmetology students provided hair and makeup services for the runway participants, showcasing the program’s services.

Casto said presenting professional style tips in a creative format helps students remember key lessons about the workplace expectations.

“I think a fun way to promote a pretty serious event helps students remember what dressing for success looks like and the common mistakes to avoid,” Casto said. “It gives students the opportunity to network with many different employers in a comfortable environment and practice presenting themselves professionally.”

WVU Parkersburg President Torie Jackson participated in the fashion show, wearing a black pinstripe suit jacket with black pants and a black-and-white polka dot blouse. She said she was a little nervous about walking down the runway, but enjoyed seeing the faculty, staff and students come together to support the event, including the humorous examples of what not to wear.

“It was fun to see the students and the staff there supporting the project,” Jackson said. “I really loved seeing the bad style and I’m thankful it’s not something I see every day here.”

Jolene Sink, financial aid specialist at WVU Parkersburg, demonstrates what not to wear in a professional setting during the Dress for Success Fashion Show on Thursday. (Photo Provided)

Jackson said the reverse format helps students feel more confident when meeting potential employers.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to be in an environment where they’re comfortable and then get to meet employers when they’re prepared,” Jackson said. “They have their resume, they’ve practiced their pitch and their interviews and the more they do it, the more polished they become.”

She added that the format can make networking less intimidating for students while still creating meaningful connections with employers.

“It can be very difficult for a student to walk into a company and ask about job opportunities,” Jackson said. “This gives them an extra opportunity to meet employers without having to take all of that initiative on their own. It’s less scary.”