VR or virtual reality technology is undeniably one of the most promising technologies of modern times and it has taken the world by storm. From 3D modeling and social networking to the entertainment industry, architecture, and gaming, VR has penetrated every market in the world and it’s not showing any signs of slowing down.
For anyone thinking there could be a rewarding and secure job in this industry is on the right-thinking path. However, as in every beginning, it’s important to know where to start. So, here are several guidelines about how to pave a career path in VR.
Job prospects
When it comes to the VR technology, there’s a myriad of job out there, especially because this industry is in its fast-growing phase so there’s plenty of room for innovation and experimentation. One way to go is the customer-oriented field where you can get a job as an engineer, graphic designer, content producer or coder and work on creating assets and apps used by customers who wear VR headsets.
There’s also a need for app testing and optimization of their different aspects, performed by UX and UI designers, as well as control people and quality assurance. But, if you’re more interested in hardware, there’s always a demand for people who design the device casing ensuring it’s the state-of-the-art experience for its users.
Weighing out the odds
Currently, the VR market is fiercely competitive so you have to well-prepared if you want to snatch your chance at landing a career here. With this technology being so new and popular, companies everywhere are hiring the best talents in order to make progress.
However, at the same time, the industry is not so competitive when it comes to the number of skilled and educated people out there who are capable of carrying out the required tasks. So, while the companies are looking for the best candidates, you still have lots of opportunities to get started and advance.
Education and qualifications needed
To begin with, you’ll certainly need some technical background, perhaps as a software designer, developer or coder, but as VR popularity rises, more and more colleges and universities are offering VR-related courses. Choosing the right one will depend on what aspect of VR you want to explore and develop. For instance, to design headsets, you’ll need to study product design and user experiences. In most cases, you will need to have skills and experience with 3D modelling and coding languages such as C and C+.
Experts claim that the impact of VR will only increase with time and it’ll be comparable to that of smartphones and the Internet, which will offer excellent possibilities in many fields of education, architecture, entertainment, audio-visuals, engineers and many more. With the advancement of VR, the market will demand more skilled professionals who have a deeper understanding of the present and future scenarios, have a creative approach to designing products, services and experiences and can fully realize the potential of this technology.
So, choosing the right course is imperative so you gain the right knowledge. For instance, IED Barcelona’s master degree in design for virtual reality provides its students with specific knowledge and resources to be able to work in the field of virtual reality, enabling them to create immersive experiences by inspiring them to adopt new ways of designing, learning and communicating based on pioneering narratives.
Desirable candidate qualities
Right now, VR technology is the most innovative and user-friendly technology on the market so the tech companies are looking for those candidates who are passionate about what they do and are in it for the long run as they want to grow together with their teams as the industry itself continues to expand.
One of the most desirable character traits you can have is to be bold and brave enough to think outside the box and push the norms. With unique skills and experiences, you can make progress and stand out in the crowd but this will depend greatly on how you present yourself. So make sure you follow the trends to see if you can find anything relatable to use for yourself as you make your way in.
One thing is for sure – the VR is constantly changing so you have to be as fluid as the market. This means you need to keep evolving, growing, learning and enhancing your skills to be the best version of yourself possible.
Getting into the industry may not be as hard but it will take some time, effort and lots of perseverance. The best advice you can get is to focus, work hard and get ready to start a career of a lifetime on the very front of technology.