IH helps students explore careers through virtual reality program

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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