IH helps students explore careers through virtual reality program

February 18, 2026

An avatar of External Partnerships coordinator Sarah Lauman stands at an IH booth at a virtual Wavemakers event.

Thanks to a free virtual reality tool, Interior Health (IH) is connecting with post-secondary students in new and creative ways to spark interest in health-care careers.

In partnership with Wavemakers, a national, Government of Canada supported initiative, IH connects with students from a wide range of educational backgrounds and creates opportunities for them to explore career pathways in a fully virtual environment.

IH, a Wavemakers partner since 2022, is one of the only health authorities in Canada participating in the program’s national career and networking events.

Apply to Wavemakers

In this Story…

Mentorship, networking opens doors for students

Learn more about Careers and Career Exploration with IH

Mentorship, networking opens doors for students

Students attend events as customized avatars, allowing them to connect with employers and mentors in an interactive digital space.

For IH’s Career Exploration team, this approach offers a unique way to meet students where they are and helps them see how their interests and education can translate into meaningful career paths.

“Wavemakers brings together students from all kinds of programs, not just health-related ones,” says Sarah Lauman, External Partnerships coordinator at IH.

“When students start to see how their skills could be used in health care, it can really change how they think about their future.”

External Partnerships coordinator Sarah Lauman attends a virtual career fair.

From Wavemakers’ perspective, the program helps students expand their sense of what’s possible after graduation.

“Students often arrive with just two or three ideas about what they want to do,” says Jack Litchfield, External Partnerships Director at Wavemakers.

“Through mentorship, networking and career events, they discover many more opportunities and build a network of contacts to support them as they move forward.”

For IH, participating in national events also creates connections with students across the country, including those who may not yet be in B.C.

“For students coast to coast, engaging with Interior Health opens up the possibility of relocating to the B.C. Interior for work after graduation,” says Jack. “The program opens doors, builds relationships and helps people think about a future career path they may never have considered in a community they could make a home in.”

The positive impact of the program is also felt and appreciated by participants like Heath McLeod:

"Participating in Wavemakers gave me the opportunity to build skills in planning and projects, and to put them into practice through real group work. It was a really great way to find opportunities and receive guidance related to preparing for future job searches. I really do wish I’d had access to something like this earlier in my career."

-- Heath McLeod, Professional Practice Lead, Ultrasound, IH Echo & Vascular Lab

By joining in national events like Wavemakers, IH helps students build confidence, form professional connections and imagine themselves in careers they may not have considered before.

This partnership reflects IH’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of health care professionals and ensuring students from all disciplines know there’s a place for them in shaping the future of care.

Learn more about Careers and Career Exploration with IH

We provide career exploration job shadow experiences for high school and post-secondary students and community members. For questions about Career Exploration, email the recruitment team at CareerExploration@InteriorHealth.ca.