The metaverse is becoming a part of our everyday nomenclature, but what is it exactly and what are the future metaverse VR jobs we should be preparing students for?
Today, we’re exploring the emerging careers and metaverse VR jobs that currently exist, and ones that will likely be created in the future to further build, define, and develop the Metaverse.
For educators, parents, and students looking to explore a career in the future, it’s crucial to develop an awareness and knowledge of VR, AR, and the metaverse. Just like the internet exploded in the 1990s, the future of VR metaverse jobs is looking to do the same for our next generation of workers!
As of today, the term metaverse describes a network of extended reality experiences that blur the lines between the physical world and the digital. The metaverse is a network where anyone can access digital, three-dimensional content. The metaverse is not one simple thing. It’s not an app, a website, or owned by a singular company.
As the metaverse expands, its already fluid definition is sure to change and expand.
At Kai XR, we see the metaverse as a central piece of connective tissue for new ways of learning.
We believe the metaverse will change how young people learn—and these changes are already in progress. Educators and librarians are already setting up VR classrooms, where young learners can explore the entire universe through virtual field trips.
While the metaverse may sound distant and mysterious to many, in many ways, it mimics the dawn of the internet. So, if discussing the metaverse makes you feel like Katie Couric circa 1994, you’re not alone.
The metaverse comprises of two very important distinct technologies: virtual reality and augmented reality.
Virtual reality or VR, describes a fully computer-based recreation or simulation. These simulations are typically viewed through a headset or another device that projects a series of images in front of a viewer’s eyes, so that it feels like they are inside another world.
Similar to virtual reality, augmented reality, or AR, superimposes digital images over the real world. This creates a mixed reality, where you can be interacting with your physical space and a digital space at once. One popular example of augmented reality is Pokemon Go, where users could use their mobile devices to “find” Pokemon in their town, their street, or even in their own bedroom!
As we watch the metaverse expand, many educators feel the pressing need to instill the skills needed for the jobs of the future. Consider all the lucrative careers that didn’t even exist 15, 20, or 25 years ago. In the same way that the internet opened up new ways of working and thousands of new career paths, the metaverse is expected to do the same.
Educators have been finding ways to incorporate transformative tech into classroom instruction. The metaverse offers great opportunities to enhance young people’s brain development and learning experience across various educational styles and needs.
So, what impact has the metaverse had so far, and what do experts believe about the job outlook? Let’s first talk about a pivotal moment in the continued growth of the metaverse.
According to a study by Pew Research Center that followed 624 technology innovators from Elon University’s Imagining the Internet Center, the following projections were made about the potential future of the metaverse.
How did this happen so quickly? The answer is COVID-19.
When the COVID-19 pandemic took hold of the world in March 2002, many folks believed they were going home for 14 days, to return to a drawer of stale snacks and “business as usual.” By now, we are all well aware that COVID-19 changed the landscape of the workplace forever.
The stay-at-home order acted as a fertilizer for the metaverse. Suddenly, without physical access to each other, we relied on all things digital. Both workplaces and learning institutions scrambled to make it work—and with that scramble came amazing solutions that proved the future could be more digital than we ever imagined.
Suddenly, many jobs were remote “until further notice”, and employees learned they could enjoy a work-life balance that didn’t include a horrendous commute. This also allowed companies limitless access to talent across state lines, across time zones, and continents away.
As we entered our third year, where a large portion of the workforce remained in their cozy home offices, we learned that the metaverse might have more applications than we imagined.
Because we are not sure how large and encompassing the metaverse will be, we can’t guess every type of career that will emerge over the next twenty years. However, we can take what we know of the metaverse today, follow its progress, and make sure our students are learning the skills and competencies of the growing behemoth that is the Metaverse.
With the foundational skills in place, students will learn and grow alongside the trajectory of the metaverse itself. It is our mission at Kai XR to ensure that our students are learning the 21st century skills that are new and about to emerge. Instead of trying to predict what’s to come, we can use the knowledge we have right now and expand that.
Let’s start with what we absolutely know right now. We know that the foundation of the metaverse is built upon virtual reality and augmented reality.
In today’s classroom, you are unlikely to find a student without a little experience in either of these technologies.
Any student who has used a filter, tried on an Oculus, or who has played an immersive video game is already familiar with a piece of the metaverse.
From here, students can learn more about the big players in the Metaverse (and the metaverse careers that already exist) as it stands today.
CTE or Career and Technical Education is a broad term that describes any type of educational program that helps students prepare for a particular career.
In recent years, studies have shown that only 25% of students take courses that could help them become part of the country's greatest industries. As a result, many students are missing out on the chance to develop essential skills that could lead to successful careers.
With the workforce rapidly changing, it’s essential that educators integrate and prioritize CTE skills into curriculum. Instead of teaching the same lesson plans year over year, educators can help students explore new fields, new competencies, and emerging skills to prepare them for future opportunities.
Students who graduated from specialized CTE programs command higher salaries, sometimes as high as 70% more than their colleagues.
CTE Programs and Skills to Prioritize for Future Metaverse VR Jobs
What are 21st century skills? Basically, 21st century skills describe any skill sets that will set students up for success as the digital age of communication expands and grows.
Many workplace skills can be divided into so-called technical skills and people skills.
Hard skills describe skills that typically require coursework, training, classes, and practice.
Examples of technical skills include:
Soft skills describe the more personal attributes that allow someone to interact effectively with others. Especially when communicating and collaborating digitally, soft skills are very important. In addition to communication, soft skills like empathy are more important than ever. When developing metaverse functions, one must use their empathy skills to create functionalities that can work for every type of use.
Examples of Soft Skills for Metaverse VR Jobs:
No matter what career path your students take, they’ll be better equipped for the journey with the skills that will allow them to connect authentically with the world through the metaverse. Kai XR can help you put your students on the right track for success by connecting them with VR skills 21st century learners need.
Here’s where the predictive element comes into play. Educators preparing their students for future metaverse VR jobs will also have to employ their imaginations. They should also encourage their students to be creative, open-minded, and exploratory in their learning.
Instead of leaning away from emerging technologies, make sure students are always increasing and embracing digital literacy. For some educators, this might mean allowing your students to show you the latest apps. Encourage creativity, early adoption, and a fearless (but safety-first) approach to technology that can empower everyone’s creativity!
There are jobs in the metaverse today, with huge names in every industry adding VR professionals to their teams every day. While knowledge in VR and AR is extremely lucrative today, it is only expected to grow. As such, educators should empower their students to explore technology and imagine its future applications.
With their foundational education in virtual reality and augmented reality, students in your classroom today are more likely to invent the lucrative jobs they will someday hold. How cool is that?
Existing metaverse careers include:
According to experts, the jobs of the next twenty years can include applications in every industry, from healthcare to fashion design. Here are some metaverse VR job predictions for the next 20 years.
Some experts have predicted that the following careers in VR will emerge by 2030.
While many future metaverse jobs don’t exist yet, the possibilities are limitless. Start encouraging your students to embrace their creativity by trying Kai XR’s makerspace classroom and using digital tools to create their own world from the ground and up!
While the definition of the metaverse is still changing and expanding, it is undeniable that it will be a huge part of the future and its corresponding career opportunities. By prioritizing 21st century skills, educators can help students get a head start on their career path and be better prepared for the workforce.
Kai XR is a great resource for educators who want to incorporate virtual field trips. Kai XR provides resources that help educators improve their lesson plans and make them more engaging for students. With Kai XR, educators have access to quality curriculum and materials, as well as professional development opportunities.
If you're looking for a way to give your students a leg up in their future careers, check out Kai XR.
There's no time better than now to get started with our educational VR, perfect for programs and schools.
There’s so much for you and your students to explore. All you need to do is start. Try out Kai XR on your smart device, tablet, VR headset, or laptop. We’ll be your guide!
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