Corinth students are trying out careers with VR headsets this week as Big Ideas USA brings its virtual-reality career event to Corinth and Alcorn County schools, the Daily Corinthian reported.
How the Program Works
Big Ideas USA is a nonprofit that offers interactive augmented and virtual reality activities. The visit is a partnership among the Toyota Wellspring Education Fund at the CREATE Foundation, the Tennessee Valley Authority and community partners. A $17,500 grant allowed all eligible students to take part.
Corinth High School
At Corinth High School the program ran Tuesday and Wednesday. Caterpillar employees led the modules, and career coach Candace Marlar oversaw operations. Students worked through 26 indoor tasks chosen to reflect local industry, including overhead demolition, commercial aircraft servicing, elevator repair and fiber internet repair.
Sophomore Tanvi Padilla said she had not explored careers this way before. “I had a lot of fun because I got to use VR headsets,” she said. Junior Max Evans described it as “kind of a virtual job shadowing.”
Alcorn Career and Technology Center
The event continues Thursday, Friday and Monday at the Alcorn Career and Technology Center. Caterpillar and Mission Forest employees will direct the modules, with a trade instructor on hand.
Why It Matters
Organizers say the goal is to let students see the skills and training behind each job before choosing a path after graduation.
Jon R Myers is the executive editor of Alcorn County News and the founder of the Mississippi News Group, which he started in 2013 to cover communities across North Mississippi. He also founded the Mississippi Sports Group in 2006, which grew from a single community publication into a statewide network covering high school and college athletics. He reports on local government, public safety, schools and community life in Corinth and Alcorn County, working from public meetings, agency records and interviews with the people involved. Contact him at editor@alcornnewsms.com with news tips or corrections. For a correction, include the article link and supporting source material.
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