What virtual reality jobs can I do?

Did you know that you can now watch a basketball game, feeling all the excitement and action up close, without being anywhere near the court? You can lose yourself in the world of a 360-degree game, or learn about the latest news by being right in the middle of the story.

It’s all because of virtual reality, sometimes called augmented reality. This new technology lets you experience different environments and places as if you were really there.

Virtual reality is a brand new industry that’s really shaking up how we see the world. Some people think it could even change our daily lives more than the smartphone has.

VR technology is developing at a super-fast rate. What that means is there are plenty of exciting opportunities to work in this field. If you have good problem-solving abilities, creativity and a knack for tech, a virtual reality career could be for you.

What is virtual reality anyway?

Let’s go back to basics: how does virtual reality work? Well, users wear a VR headset. The headset is linked to a computer or phone, which displays the game or event in front of your eyes. You also usually need an accessory, like a controller, that tracks your head and hand movements to complete the experience.

You might have heard of Oculus Rift, which is made by Facebook, but these devices are also being made by Google, Samsung, Sony PlayStation and other big names. They all want to create a totally ‘immersive’ experience. That means you’ll forget you’re wearing a VR headset and really believe you’re leaping over craters on the moon… instead of just hopping around your living room.

There’s lots of excitement about the virtual reality games you can play. But virtual reality is about loads more than gaming. It’s also being used for news, sports, music events and even interactive movies.

For example, CNN streamed the US democratic presidential debate using VR. And the NBA offered a 360-degree experience of its basketball tournament last year. The New York Times even made an immersive news story about the refugee crisis.

Experts are predicting VR will go even further in the near future. It could be used in education, healthcare, marketing, engineering, construction and architecture. Medical workers could use the technology to do safety training simulations, or people in the military could explore new or remote places.

What virtual reality jobs are there?

What all this means is that more and more employers are looking for staff who have VR knowledge and skills. But what jobs are actually available? Just like the technology, VR job roles are growing and changing all the time.

There are loads of jobs you could do, including everything from audio engineers and programmers to filmmakers.

We take a look at a few virtual reality jobs on offer right now:

User experience designers are responsible for the look and feel of a VR app. They make sure users have great experiences with the product
3D modellers create life-like 3D images using digital tools
Animators bring the 3D models to life
Videographers make film clips of VR projects to use for marketing
Computer vision engineers have the fun-sounding job of making sure that the whole VR team is up to date with the newest technologies and software
Project managers oversee the whole VR project, communicating between teams and making sure everyone is sticking to deadlines and budgets

You might have spotted that a lot of these jobs are quite techy! But it’s very important to remember that as the industry grows, there will be lots of different kinds of virtual reality careers on offer.

Employers will need more than programmers and engineers. They will need product managers, digital marketing pros, and chief executives with great leadership skills. The New York Times even has a virtual reality editor!

What skills do I need?

Because the virtual reality industry is changing so fast, the number one most important skill you need is adaptability. Being able to deal well with change will make you really valuable to employees and help you move forward in your career, no matter what direction virtual reality goes in.

The ability to think creatively and find brilliant solutions to problems are important for a virtual reality career. Depending on what area you’re interested in, some programming or coding basics will come in handy.

Think you’re cut out for a virtual reality career? Get things started by reading our guide to boosting your coding skills

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