As Confucius famously said, “Tell me and I will forget, show me and I will remember; involve me and I will understand”, the age-old wisdom continues to resonate in countless ways as the world of education undergoes metamorphic changes.
The real purpose of education is to groom children into responsible, happy and successful global citizens. As technology sweeps the world in unprecedented ways, it’s no surprise that it’s changing the leap from education to careers to create a flood of opportunities for young people.
How virtual reality is changing career navigation
Although virtual reality has been around since the 1990s, its uses have been quite limited, mostly confined to high-tech gaming consoles. With growing awareness and far-reaching industrial applications, this technology is creating ripples beyond mere entertainment. The scope of virtual reality in applications such as training and education, design and prototyping, marketing, travel, therapy and more is much higher than one can fathom.
Its infinite reach lies in the immersive environment it provides, allowing users to feel fully immersed in the virtual world that stimulates all the senses of smell, sound, taste, touch and sight. In such changing paradigms, career exploration is no longer limited to conventional routes. Navigating the world of virtual reality enables learners to battle some of the biggest challenges that come their way while choosing a career.
Access to real experiences on the job
On the path to discovering the right career, it is essential to have an understanding of what actually happens in a job, roles and responsibilities, and expectations from employers. Virtual reality allows students to dive deep into a virtual world where they can immerse themselves in the environment of a dream job. Immersive career experience programs powered by VR allow learners to understand what to expect in a potential career.
The opportunity to access and experience the real world at a young age helps them gain a previously unseen glimpse into the world of work, thereby enhancing their understanding of various careers. With the help of VR, young people can gauge their compatibility with particular careers and sharpen skills that increase chances of career success. Employers are increasingly looking for candidates who have the necessary skills to tackle workforce challenges and to be productive. VR allows learners to get up close and personal with the work environment, giving them a better grasp of workplace readiness.
Explore the untapped world of career opportunities
One of the biggest challenges learners face while choosing a career path is limited knowledge about the rapidly evolving career landscape. Learning about diverse careers and multiple opportunities through VR opens up new vistas of knowledge and awareness.
Exploring new-age careers in augmented reality paves the way to a better understanding of future possibilities, apart from helping young people make better and informed career decisions. Experiencing a real environment in a virtual dimension has opened limitless avenues to explore lesser-known careers. Virtual reality has unlimited potential to prepare students for potential careers and to embrace the world of work with greater clarity.
The benefits of virtual reality are far-reaching; it provides access to an active experience rather than receiving passive information, simplifies complex concepts, increases creativity and expands learners’ efficiency in acquiring knowledge. With the benefits of futuristic technologies like VR coming to prominence, the way young people perceive and understand concepts and apply them to their daily challenges has changed the way students shape their team for the future.
The way VR brings concepts to life and boosts fascination is changing the way young people navigate career paths. Virtual reality has become a game changer in career exploration, from helping young people learn about the expanding universe of careers to enabling them to experience the work environment closely, thereby empowering them to face the future with confidence step.
(About the Author: Sushma Sharma is the Director of Career Success Strategy at LaunchMyCareer who keeps a close eye on the education sector and how it will be impacted by emerging technologies)
