Using Virtual Reality (VR) technology in college classes and internships is revolutionizing the way students learn workplace skills. VR headsets are being utilized to immerse students in realistic office environments, providing them with valuable insights and experiences before they enter the job market.
Laura Bedalov, a customer success manager at talent research firm Cappfinity, explains the benefits of using VR in education. By giving students access to this VR, you can place them in these different environments where they can see, ‘Oh, this is what it would be like to be in a client meeting.’ Or, ‘This is what it means to be doing marketing.’ They have the ability to see it before they go out and actually start looking for jobs.
Cappfinity recognizes that VR can also be an effective tool for managers to assess people’s skills. By immersing individuals in VR simulations, skills such as curiosity and collaboration can be measured more accurately than traditional methods like resumes and interviews.
In collaboration with the financial consulting firm Ernst & Young, Cappfinity has launched a program where interns are provided with VR headsets for a five-week hybrid program. The program includes fictional client meetings and simulated strategy development. At the end of the program, interns deliver a final presentation in physical reality to their managers and peers.
The University College Dublin (UCD) has been using VR since September 2022 in an undergraduate course called Virtual Reality for Future Skills. Developed in partnership with Cappfinity, the course allows students to navigate simulated workplace scenarios. They take on various roles, such as a human resources employee selecting a job candidate or a chief operating officer making strategic business decisions. Afterward, students gather in-person to discuss their experiences.
The VR learning experience provides a low-stakes environment for students to make professional mistakes without real-life consequences. Alan O’Donnell, a mechanical engineering student at UCD, highlights the benefits of VR learning. It’s a very good thing to have when you’re younger because you need to make those mistakes to then learn from it. And this gives it to you in a very peaceful, safe environment.
The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted college experiences and led to a shift toward online learning and remote work. VR offers a solution by providing an immersive learning environment that minimizes distractions. Maurice Knightly, education innovation lead at UCD’s Innovation Academy, notes that the affordability of VR headsets has improved over time, making it a more viable option for educational institutions.
While VR technology still faces some skepticism, major tech players like Apple, Meta, Google, Microsoft, and Sony have invested in virtual and augmented reality development. Although the technology’s mainstream adoption hinges on affordability, Cappfinity believes VR will become more widely used in the workplace. However, they don’t see it replacing the in-person office environment entirely.
The use of VR in education and the workplace offers exciting possibilities for enhancing learning and skill acquisition. As the technology continues to evolve and become more accessible, more individuals and organizations are recognizing its potential for transforming the way we learn and work.
