Dress for Success Fashion Show prepares students for upcoming Reverse Career Fair at WVU Parkersburg

 Parkersburg, W.Va. (March 12, 2026) — WVU Parkersburg hosted a Dress for Success Fashion Show to help students learn the importance of professional attire ahead of the college’s upcoming Reverse Career Fair.

The Reverse Career Fair will give students the opportunity to connect with employers across the Mid-Ohio Valley. Unlike a traditional job fair where employers host booths, the Reverse Career Fair allows students take the lead. Students host their own tables featuring professional displays, resumes and portfolio materials, while employers circulate throughout the event to meet with them.

Participants prepare in advance by creating a 19-by-29-inch poster highlighting their experience and skills, along with a QR code linking to their LinkedIn profile. Students complete several hours of 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.

The event featured 16 members of WVU Parkersburg faculty and staff walking the runway to demonstrate examples of workplace-appropriate attire while highlighting common fashion mistakes to avoid in interviews and professional settings. The show was designed to give students practical tips on how to present themselves confidently in the workplace.

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.

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

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.

WVU Parkersburg President Dr. Torie Jackson also participated in the fashion show, walking the runway in 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.”

Casto said the event also provides valuable networking opportunities in a supportive setting.

“It gives students the opportunity to network with many different employers in a comfortable environment and practice presenting themselves professionally,” Casto said.

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.”

The Reverse Career Fair will bring together students and employers from across the region to create networking opportunities and potential career connections.