Hootie's Closet prepares students for career success
Professional work attire, resumes, headshots — Hootie's Closet had it all!
For the second year in a row, Hootie's Closet connected more than 200 students to resources designed to prepare them for career success.
Held inside the Campus Center, the event was sponsored by CTE employment services in collaboration with the college's student life and leadership development and basic needs programs.
In the weeks leading up to the event, event organizers hosted a clothing drive, where individuals donated professional clothing, including blazers, suit coats, dresses, blouses and more. At the event, students were able to try the items on and take them home.
To get students ready for future job and internship opportunities, Hootie's Closet also offered free professional headshots and digital business cards, as well as help with resumes and strategies for interviewing. Additionally, multiple programs and departments on campus, including human resources and the Dream Resource Center, had booths at the event, informing students about the resources available to them.
Elizabeth Montellano, CTE employment specialist, has been instrumental in making the event possible over the past two years.
"This year, thanks to the generous support of an innovation grant from the Citrus College Foundation, we expanded the event's offerings, providing new professional clothing options and gift cards for students," Montellano said. "It's been incredibly fulfilling to plan and enhance Hootie's Closet, and I'm deeply grateful for the support that made it possible."
Montellano said the event will most likely return in spring 2025. In the meantime, students can look forward to the CTE career fair taking place in the Campus Center on April 25.
This article originally appeared in the April 2024 edition of the Citrus View.