Virtual reality is revolutionizing job shadowing by allowing students and job seekers to enter immersive, simulated workplaces and experience a “day in the life” of various careers from anywhere. This innovation, called virtual job shadowing, allows participants to explore industries and jobs via VR, making career exploration more accessible, engaging, and effective.
Read on for actionable advice for career fairs that can help you make the most of VR career exploration simulations, maximizing learning and engagement.
Why virtual job shadowing is gaining popularity
Virtual job shadowing offers a realistic glimpse into careers without the logistical hurdles of traditional job shadowing. It provides participants with the opportunity to observe tasks, workflows, and skills in action from a classroom or other central location.
So, how does a virtual career fair work in the context of job shadowing? One of the best models is to create a hybrid experience where learners don VR headsets and interact with lifelike simulations of workplaces and reflect on those experiences via other classroom activities. Virtual career exploration eliminates the need for physical travel and can accommodate a wide array of learning styles, making it a sought-after career exploration tool.
“How is someone going to come talk to students about the programs they offer and have them make a decision without ever experiencing the job?” asks Cody Waits, Director of the Arkansas Office of Skills Development. “ One of my first thoughts when I saw Transfr was ‘What a great opportunity to engage students differently!’ Now they can explore a broad swath of occupations.”
Advantages of virtual career exploration
Realistic VR simulations allow participants to experience lifelike environments where they can explore industries and roles interactively and really get a feel for what working there would be like. VR career exploration also helps overcome accessibility barriers like geographical distance or physical limitations, democratizing career exploration opportunities.
While traditional job shadowing often involves travel and logistical expenses, VR provides a budget-friendly alternative. VR is also safer than going on-site to workplaces, allowing learners to practice skills (even potentially dangerous ones) without real-world consequences, fostering confidence in a controlled setting. Think of virtual job shadowing as kind of a virtual career fair, but with immersive learning experiences that let participants try on careers without leaving the classroom. Here are five specific tips that can help you deliver a stellar virtual career fair:
#1: Choose high-quality VR career exploration simulations
The more lifelike the VR simulation, the better the learning experience. Choose modules built on deep industry experience and with knowledgeable digital guides or coaches.
“Having simulations built with input from many subject matter experts makes everything better,” says Edgar Anguilu, an instructor at TRIO Electric in Houston, TX. “Because you’ve got different people bringing in their perspectives and experiences.”
#2: Prepare participants for the VR experience
Set clear expectations. Before sending participants into a VR simulation, clarify its purpose and potential outcomes. Provide participants with a preview of what they’ll experience so they can approach the session with focus and curiosity.
Make sure participants are familiar with the VR headset hardware and controls. Offering practice sessions before the live job shadow can help reduce learning curves and maximize time spent engaging with the module.
#3: Make the experience interactive and reflective
Drive engagement by encouraging active exploration within the VR environment. Use guided prompts or challenges to keep participants on task and deepen their understanding.
Follow-up simulation time with discussion prompts to help participants process what they learned. Reflection can connect the experience to their broader career interests and aspirations.
#4: Integrate supplementary resources
Enhance VR sessions with additional materials like industry reports, career advice videos, or live Q&A sessions with professionals (on-site or via video calls, etc.).
VR job shadowing makes a great addition to a broader curriculum. For example, simulation time can be paired with career aptitude tests, resume-building workshops, and other activities to provide a well-rounded virtual career exploration experience.
#5: Collect feedback to improve the experience
Feedback from participants can reveal gaps in VR simulations and areas that need improvement.
Any VR dedicated developer likely works tirelessly to refine its simulations, based on user input. Regularly updating the content ensures it reflects current industry trends, keeping the experience relevant and impactful. Feedback from users in the field can help make future simulations even better.
Conclusion: Five ways to make virtual job shadowing a success
To recap, here are the key tips for making VR job shadowing effective:
- Choose high-quality modules tailored to career goals.
- Prepare participants by setting expectations and ensuring technical readiness.
- Foster interactivity and reflection during and after the session.
- Integrate supplementary resources to enrich the learning experience.
- Leverage feedback to refine and improve the modules.
The future of career exploration
Virtual job shadowing is a game-changer in making career insights and training more accessible to all. As organizations adopt VR technology, participants will gain unparalleled access to career exploration opportunities. With all the technological advances changing the face of education, you may be asking: “Do career fairs actually help?”
The answer is that today’s students and job seekers need a wide array of opportunities and experiences to find their pathways to the careers of tomorrow. Tools like Transfr Trek, which offers a mobile experience designed to help with career pathing, are redefining how people connect with their dream professions. Career Development Coordinator Diana Ollis at Union County Public Schools in North Carolina, leaves us with this about the power of VR with their School System:
“Transfr allows students to explore lots of different occupations to get them to think outside of the box. Students need to realize that there are lots of opportunities out there, not just what you see in the community at home.”
Discover how Transfr is reshaping career exploration.
