Bobcat Career Closet opens permanent storefront next to MSU Bookstore

BOZEMAN - Montana State University Career Services opened a permanent storefront for the Bobcat Career Closet in the Strand Union Building.

Located down the hall from the MSU Bookstore in Room 134, the new space gives MSU students expanded access to free, gently used professional attire, including jackets, suits, dresses, slacks, shirts, blouses, ties and shoes. Students may select up to two outfits per semester.

The storefront will operate like a retail store in appearance and process, but no money will change hands, said Elizabeth Feary, director of Career Services.

The Bobcat Career Closet previously operated as a pop-up event once a semester, typically during the week before MSU's fall and spring career fairs. Career Services transported professional clothing from an off-campus storage facility to the SUB for each event, sometimes serving nearly 400 students in a single day.

That model limited students' access to the program, Feary said. Students occasionally stopped by during the year seeking professional items, but most of the closet's inventory was stored off campus.

Career Services began researching how permanent career closets operated at other colleges last year. With support from MSU and the Associated Students of Montana State University, the department secured a storefront in the SUB.

"Once we knew we had a space, things opened up for us because we had something concrete we could work from," said Feary. "We knew we could do it. We knew we could host it here on campus."

The Bobcat Family Fellows became the project's first donor, providing support for the storefront's startup needs. An advisory group consisting of local community members with experience in retail, apparel and marketing also worked with student associates throughout the summer to provide mentorship and develop the closet's operations.

Nine student associates will staff the storefront during its first semester, reviewing donations, helping students select outfits and handling checkout and tracking so students can receive two outfits per semester.

"Every single student who we interviewed said they wanted to be part of something that impacted other students' lives in a positive way," Feary said. "That tells you something about the students MSU is attracting and keeping here."

Regular shopping and donation hours will be established each semester. Current hours will be posted on the Bobcat Career Closet webpage.

The Bobcat Career Closet is supported by donations from members of the MSU and Gallatin Valley communities. Donated clothing will be reviewed at drop-off to ensure it is appropriate for professional use and meets the closet's guidelines.

Accepted items may include suits, suit jackets or blazers, slacks, dress shirts, dress sweaters or vests, skirts and dresses. Accessories such as belts, shoes, ties, satchels, purses, clutches, briefcases and business folders may also be donated. Donation guidelines and drop-off hours are available on the Bobcat Career Closet webpage.

Feary said finding the right outfit, or even one missing piece, can make a noticeable difference in how a student approaches an interview or career fair.

"I've seen firsthand the difference the right outfit can make for a student," Feary said. "When students feel confident and prepared, they're better able to focus on showcasing their skills, pursuing opportunities and taking the next step toward their future."

The closet is not intended to push or prescribe a particular professional style, she added. Instead, its staff will help students find clothing that reflects their personalities and makes them feel comfortable.

"There's a quiet confidence that comes through when you feel good about how you look and your own style and personality come through," Feary said. "That's what we want to help students find, whether it's a whole outfit or the key piece they're missing."

For more information about the Bobcat Career Closet, including shopping hours and donation guidelines, visit https://www.montana.edu/studentsuccess/careers/career-ready/bobcat-career-closet/.