Last week, the team at Mersus Technologies traded our usual office setup for the Coláiste Chiaráin Careers Day. The event is designed to bridge the gap between education and the professional world. Surrounded by manufacturers, tech companies, and civil organisations, we were excited to show students a different kind of career path, one that involves stepping into virtual worlds.
More Than Just a Game: Demonstrating VR in Action
Our main attraction was our Avatar Academy training app. For us, this was more than just a product demo. It was a dual-purpose showcase: first, to demonstrate the powerful utility of Virtual Reality as a medium for training and simulation, and second, to plant a seed that Virtual Reality Development is a viable and exciting career choice right here on their doorstep.
The reactions were a fascinating mix. We saw students who were trying on a VR headset for the very first time, approaching it with a mix of nervous excitement and cautious curiosity. For these first-timers, we always make a point to offer a simple reassurance: nothing bad can happen to you, and you certainly can’t break anything! This usually breaks the ice, allowing them to just enjoy the experience.
On the other end of the spectrum, we spoke with many students who were already tech-savvy and familiar with VR. But the reaction that stuck with us the most came from a large group in the middle: surprise. Again and again, we heard a variation of, “Wait, you actually make this here? In Athlone?” They were genuinely enthusiastic to learn that the technology they often see as a product of far-off tech hubs is being created locally.
Why Events Like This Matter More Than Ever
The day got us thinking about a crucial responsibility: introducing young people to technology early and, more importantly, demystifying the careers behind it. It’s vital for students to understand that the tech sector isn’t a monolith. There isn’t just one path in. Behind every app and headset are artists, storytellers, problem-solvers, and logicians.
But this isn’t just about filling job vacancies. In a world where AI is changing how we work, the ability to understand and direct technology is becoming as fundamental as reading and writing. We want young people to stop being just consumers of technology, scrolling through apps and playing games, and start being the creators of it. These core skills of logic, creativity, and problem-solving will remain vital, no matter how many processes become automated.
There’s a common narrative that because certain skills are becoming automated, the value of learning the foundational, “backend” principles is decreasing. In our experience, this attitude rarely comes from young people themselves. Given the chance, students have a natural curiosity and a real desire to understand how things work and to build things with their own hands. This hunger to create is something that automation will never replace.
Looking Ahead
Our time at Coláiste Chiaráin was a powerful reminder of the energy and potential in our local community. The enthusiasm we saw has only strengthened our commitment to showing young people just how interesting, fun, and rewarding a career in tech can be.
We’d like to extend a huge thank you to the staff and students of Coláiste Ciarán for having us. We’re already looking forward to the next one!
If you’re a student reading this and you’re curious about how to get started in VR or game development, a great first step is to explore free resources like Unity Learn or Blender. The most important thing is to start building and experimenting! And if you have a Quest Headset, check out our Avatar Academy app.