National honour for Australian university first 3D career fair

The virtual world of computer reality has seen the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) win national recognition at the Australian university first 3D career fair run through Second Life.

Second Life is a 3D virtual world created by its residents, which has grown enormously and is inhabited by millions of people from around the world.

The national honour was awarded to USQ by the National Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (NAGCAS), the professional association for staff working in university careers services.

'We received the award for best practice for our 3D career fair at the association's national conference, which is attended by universities across Australia,' USQ Graduate Transition Consultant Katrina Vagg said.

'It is in recognition of innovative ideas which enhance career development in universities, with most other Australian universities also putting in a nomination for the award.

'An international panel of judges assesses the winner so it was quite an intense process.'

Run for the first time this year, the 3D career fair was an opportunity for those students studying externally to interact with employers and attracted a good number of students and businesses.

'Since 2001 we have had an e-Career fair, but with the advancement of technology and the need for more interactivity, we introduced a 3D component to the e-Career fair through the Second Life Virtual World,' Mrs Vagg said.

'Although it is a virtual world it looks very similar to an on-campus career fair with booths and access to information from employers who can even speak to students online.

'Going into the 3D career fair we didn't have any expectations and it was used as a pilot to see if it would work.  It ended up being a major success with a high number of students and around 40 local and national employers taking part.

'We expect it to grow enormously next year as the employers were very responsive and saw it as a cost effective option for them."

There has even been interest in the idea internationally.

'At the NACGAS conference I talked to people from the UK and the USA about the 3D career fair as well and they were very keen to do something similar in their universities.'

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559