4-17-2024 11:59pm

Virtual Reality Takes Career Exploration to a Whole New Level

Beth Callahan Editor

Photo via Pexels.com

LEBANON, OH -- The days of only imagining yourself in an alternate career are a thing of the past! New to Butler, Clermont, and Warren County OhioMeansJobs centers is the opportunity to explore the path not taken–an alternate reality–with virtual reality. Job seekers now have the opportunity to explore jobs virtually through OMJ Reality Stop.

Reality Stop allows job seekers who visit their centers to use virtual reality (VR) headsets and controllers to experience jobs in computer-generated 3-D environments. For some fields, virtual training is also possible.

From May 6 to May 10, during the seventh annual In-Demand Jobs Week, job seekers are encouraged to access this online form to schedule an appointment to experience VR career exploration at one of the Butler, Clermont, and Warren County OhioMeanJobs centers.

In-Demand Jobs Week is designed to promote Ohio’s most in-demand and fastest-growing industries through statewide hiring, education, and training events. In his announcement of this year’s theme, “Ohio, the Heart of Opportunity,” Governor DeWine stated, “Whether you are completing a certification, learning a new skill, or moving up in your career, Ohio’s broad range of in-demand jobs means Ohio is truly the heart of opportunity.”

The Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation defines top jobs as having “a sustainable wage and a promising future based on the projected number of openings and growth.” Because the demand is high, it’s easy to find jobs in these categories.

According to the state jobs site (accessible at https://topjobs.ohio.gov/top-jobs-list), the following criteria were used to define an “in-demand job” in Ohio: 80% of the state median wage, $17.22 per hour, or more; Annual growth in the number of jobs higher than the statewide average of 37; or Annual job openings greater than 641.

People seeking work or their next career are encouraged to visit topjobsohio.gov to search for in-demand jobs in healthcare, construction, manufacturing, software development, food preparation, and more.