Enhancing career adaptability through immersive virtual reality training

Abstract

The integration of Virtual Reality (VR) into career development training offers a transformative approach to enhancing career adaptability, a crucial construct for navigating the challenges of modern professional environments. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of Virtual Reality (VR) career exploration training on career adaptability. Employing a comparative design, data were collected from two groups – one receiving VR training and the other using traditional methods. The results of the study showed a significant positive impact of interactive VR simulations on key aspects of career adaptability. In particular, the use of VR technologies contributed to the improvement of participants' self-esteem, the development of professional knowledge, and the efficiency of goal setting and career planning. This study examined the effects of VR-based career exploration on five dimensions of career adaptability: self-appraisal, occupational information, goal selection, planning, and problem-solving. Results have revealed statistically significant improvements across all dimensions for the VR group, with the strongest effect observed in occupational information and substantial gains in planning and problem-solving. The findings underscored VR’s potential as an innovative tool for experiential learning, offering immersive and interactive environments that facilitate skill acquisition, self-awareness, and effective career decision-making. Implications for educational institutions, career counseling practices, and workforce development programs have been discussed, highlighting the pivotal role of technology-enhanced training in preparing individuals for an evolving job market. The findings of this investigation have significant implications for career counseling practitioners, educational institutions, and organisations invested in workforce development

Keywords

• career development
• experiential learning
• professional training
• higher education
• workforce preparation