Imagine being a high school student and trying to picture your future career. Without firsthand experience or guidance from someone in the field it’s challenging to understand the pathway or see yourself in that role. This is particularly true for rural students, who often don’t have easy access to careers information. Now imagine stepping into an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience, where you’re no longer just hearing about a career – you’re seeing it, feeling it, and virtually living it.
Our recent project harnessed the power of VR and co-design, bringing together rural secondary school students, careers advisors, and academics to create a VR experience that explored career pathways and opportunities in health. VR allowed for an interactive glimpse into the day-to-day realities of a health profession, making career exploration vivid and accessible. But students weren’t just viewers – they were creators, shaping how career possibilities are explored and inspiring their peers along the way.
Co-Design in Action
Year 12 students Marcus Davidson, from Galen Catholic College in Wangaratta, was at the heart of this project, driving every aspect of the process from conducting interviews with health students and clinicians, to editing the final VR content.
“I like taking on new challenges,” Marcus shared. “Learning to edit VR footage was quite hard, but I’m proud of what we created.” This experience also deepened Marcus’ interest in pursuing a Media and Communications degree. “I hope to expand into more editing work, or even filmmaking in the future.”
Involving students like Marcus in a university project did more than provide health career insights for peers. It offered real-world experience, fostering confidence, creativity, and practical skills that could shape their futures.
The Careers Advisor’s Perspective
Rob Walker, a teacher and careers advisor at Galen, emphasised the value of this approach. “This project wasn’t just about providing information – it gave students the opportunity to actively create something meaningful,” he explained.
He also highlighted the value of immersive technologies in career exploration. “The virtual interviews Marcus conducted were authentic and engaging. They brought a new dimension to career exploration that captured attention in a way that traditional methods often can’t. This approach adds depth to career advice and demonstrates the progressive role of technology in education.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
The VR experience left a powerful impression on students who viewed it. Max Sampson, another Galen student, shared his enthusiasm. “It was mind-blowing! It felt like I was actually there”.
“The footage showed that health careers go beyond doctors and nurses. It highlighted a wider range of roles”. Max said. He also noted the power of including Marcus in the process. “Seeing Marcus’ involvement made it even more meaningful. It was inspiring to know what students from my school can achieve and how being involved with the university could shape my own career path.”
Building the Workforce of the Future
This project was part of a broader vision to address rural health workforce shortages by planting the seeds of health career aspirations early and showcasing diverse possibilities within the health sector.
Beyond health careers, the impact of this initiative resonates more broadly. It opened doors to opportunities rural students often don’t have access to, connecting rural students to university-led projects, an experience that is typically reserved for their metropolitan peers. By bringing a university initiative into a rural school, the project demonstrated how bridging this gap can inspire students to envision themselves not only pursuing higher education but excelling in professional fields.
By combining the power of VR, co-design, and community engagement, we’re not just showcasing careers—we’re building a pipeline of passionate, capable, and inspired young people who see themselves thriving in meaningful and impactful roles.
Authors and Affiliations:
Dr. Tegan Podubinski1, Marcus Davidson2, Mr. Rob Walker2, Max Sampson2, Dr. Kristen Glenister1.
- Department of Rural Health, The University of Melbourne, 38 Green Street, Wangaratta VIC 3676
- Galen Catholic College, 188-244 Phillipson St, Wangaratta VIC 3677
Over three weeks in December, first-year nursing students conducted over a thousand health screenings in rural Kyabram, offering vital healthcare Read more
For many nurses, the profession is more than a job, it’s a chance to care, connect and create lasting impact Read more
What if you could experience a day in the life of a rural healthcare worker without ever leaving the city? Read more
Who has time to travel eight hours one way for a mandatory class, stay almost a week, and then return Read more