The Society of Radiographers showcased the radiography profession to students and young adults at the Skills London careers fair last week.
Taking place on Friday 24 to Saturday 25 November, Skills London is the UK’s biggest jobs and careers event catered to 14 to 24-year-olds.
SoR took part in the event as an exhibitor, to help promote the profession to young people and to showcase some very exciting virtual reality (VR) technology.
The response to SoR’s stand was fantastic and students were queuing to ask questions about career pathways, including the grades needed and the type of roles available in radiography.
Michelle Tyler, professional outreach officer with the Society who was on the stand, said: “So our aim today is really to meet young people and adults and help them understand about diagnostic and therapeutic radiography, because unfortunately if they don’t know about what we do in our careers, how can they consider it as a job option?
“It’s been really fantastic. There is some understanding, particularly of diagnostic radiography, but not so much about therapeutic radiography, but what I’m really loving is how many teachers and career advisors are wanting to do more work with us in the future.”
SoR joined other major employers, including Amazon, Starbucks, universities, and the armed forces at the event, designed to give students and young adults a chance to explore potential careers.
To help entice visitors onto the stand, SoR utilised a number of virtual reality and augmented reality headsets, which are used in radiography education to help immerse students in the workplace.
The VR headsets allowed users to explore a virtual X-ray room, and interact with their surroundings.
Augmented reality technology was also on display, with virtual images appearing in the real world via a headset, allowing users to investigate 3D representations of body scans, with images also appearing on a connected TV screen for people not using the headset.
President Elect of the Society, Tom Welton, said: “We’ve had a lot of Gen Z, 16 to 17-year-olds, coming through the door, and having the VR stuff lets them witness X-rays, CTs, and MRIs being taken.
“They love it, it means they get this hands-on understanding of who we are.”
Radiography studentsFaiza Choudhury, and Ayah Ahmed, both in their second year at St George’s University in London, were also on the stand to help spread the word about the profession.
The pair volunteered to help out on the stand after hearing about the opportunity through their university, and wanted to help others learn about radiography.
Faizah said: “Personally, I didn’t know what radiography was until I applied to study at the last minute, so I thought it would be good to spread awareness about it and help people understand what it’s about.”
Image credits: Eva Slusarek