What Should Job Seekers Know About the Metaverse?

The metaverse might seem like science fiction, but it is coming into many workplaces quicker than you might think. In this post, we explore what the metaverse is, how it works and ways it could impact your work life.

By Lora Korpar

When you hear the term “metaverse,” you might think of the futuristic-looking ads Meta released depicting users’ avatars in space hanging out with robots. But how much is this seemingly science-fiction concept going to impact our future in the workforce?

I spoke with Jessica Outlaw, a metaverse researcher for The Extended Mind, and Angie Kamath, dean of New York University’s School of Professional Studies and member of the school’s metaverse collaborative, about the role the metaverse will soon play in many workplaces.

But let’s back up first. We can’t understand why the metaverse matters at work if we don’t understand what it is.

What Even Is the Metaverse?

If the term sounds like it came out of a sci-fi novel, it is because it did. According to Random House Books, author Neal Stephenson first created the name in his 1982 book about virtual reality called “Snow Crash.”

In reality, the metaverse is not nearly as established or structured. Some don’t even agree that the metaverse exists yet, Outlaw says. Tech companies are usually referring to virtual reality and augmented reality spaces when they use the term.?

“The best I can describe it is an intersection of the physical and virtual worlds in ways that have business impact,” Kamath said.

Examples of VR and AR spaces include Decentraland, Roblox, Fortnite, Axie Infinity, Horizon, Sandbox and more.

Each company is developing its virtual and augmented reality spaces, WIRED reported. So some experts believe it is more accurate to say there are multiple metaverses rather than a singular metaverse. One metaverse would imply you could jump between worlds. That is unlikely to happen soon.

Outlaw said an aspect of the metaverse setting it apart from the internet and phones is the 3D element. For example, augmented reality glasses provide “contextual-based opportunities” such as pointing out a historical marker you are passing in the real world.?

“I think over the next 10 years, we're still going to be figuring it out in the same way that we've been using the last past 10 years to figure out crypto,” Kamath said. “Ten years sounds like a long time, but I think for this type of technology adoption, there's a long way to go in terms of the hardware, the software and the platforms. And so we get really excited because I think that this isn't a fad that's going to go away.”

How to Get Into the Metaverse

Various ways to join different virtual and augmented worlds exist; VR headsets or AR glasses are necessary for immersion.

Needing equipment like headsets or glasses can be problematic from an accessibility standpoint. According to Outlaw, an entry-level device like the Oculus Quest 2 usually costs around $300, making it out of reach for those from lower-income backgrounds.?

Additionally, people with disabilities have reported issues with the equipment. In a survey conducted by disability activist Alice Wong in conjunction with Lucasfilm, people with certain disabilities reported headsets clashing with hearing aids or the virtual experience text being too small.

Outlaw also mentioned issues like voice commands not being inclusive to those who don’t speak verbally and the headsets not being large enough to account for specific attire, like a Sikh person’s turban .?

However, she said that metaverse spaces still have plenty of potential to change and often take real-time suggestions from users. Also, many virtual spaces, such as Fortnite, are available only by computer or phone. And many virtual meeting platforms, like Microsoft’s Mesh (Microsoft is LinkedIn's parent company), allow entrance like the average Zoom call.?

“I think there's always going to be that trade-off, like to what extent does [the metaverse] need to be super interactive?” Outlaw said.

The Workplace and the Metaverse Intersection

Many employment opportunities are available to those looking to help build virtual spaces. Tech companies require researchers, hardware builders, storytellers, safety managers and more to develop virtual worlds, Jumpstart reported.

But even for those not working in tech, the rise in remote work could indicate an uptick in virtual reality use as a way to connect with co-workers around the world.

“The pandemic has shown that people are not excited to go back to the office,” Outlaw said. “And so I think there is a real big opportunity to get people to collaborate and give people a sense of presence and find ways to connect both socially and over work.”

And for some companies, metaverse participation has begun. Programs like Mesh and Meta’s Horizon Workrooms allow employees to hold meetings in a virtual space.

Kamath added that the metaverse also provides an opportunity for employees to get onboarded for a new job and to receive training remotely.

“I would argue using virtual reality for onboarding or recruiting talent will become more and more normal because I think that there's a real benefit to it,” she said. “I think it's important and interesting to be able to share the culture, the people, the visuals and the different offices of a firm. I think that becomes really necessary in a post-COVID world, where there's a lot of competition for talent.”

Outlaw said that in addition to holding meetings and events in the virtual space, designers creating places in the metaverse can also change people’s expectations of how a meeting looks. In the metaverse, employees can have meetings in an outdoor space or even in zero gravity.

“That's actually one of the promises of virtual reality, metaverse or immersive tech,” she said. “It's not like we have to absolutely replicate the most boring corporate meeting room that we've ever been in. We have this whole new opportunity to envision what type of work environment we want to have.”

Which Industries Will Be Involved?

Kamath and Outlaw said metaverse opportunities extend far beyond the tech and gaming industries.?

For example, the metaverse can be of use to architects and engineers because it allows them to create structures in a virtual space before approving projects in real life, Outlaw said. Also, the metaverse enables people to practice skills virtually, such as a medical student doing a procedure on a virtual patient before having to do it on a living person.

Kamath added that the hospitality and event management fields also benefit from the metaverse, with many large-scale events already happening in a virtual space, citing John Legend’s 2020 virtual concert performed in Fortnite.

“I don't see [the metaverse] being limited to a single thing,” Outlaw said. “I see that more and more applications of this technology are going to be found over time and it will eventually touch every industry.”

First Steps for Entering the Metaverse

If you want to get more involved in the metaverse, Outlaw says the call to action is simple – just dip your toe in. You can explore augmented reality apps such as Pokemon Go and Snapchat before diving into virtual experiences with $300 equipment.

Kamath said many options exist for those not in the engineering or tech fields who want to get involved in the metaverse. Those include jobs in web design, graphic design, human resources and marketing, but with a metaverse specialization.

“I think you want to look at your search not just type in ‘metaverse,’ but really think about that broader piece of how the metaverse is about crypto, it's about NFTs, it’s about the blockchain,” Kamath said. “What are jobs that exist in those areas? What are the competencies and the kinds of evergreen skills that you have to think about?”

But even those not seeking to work directly with the metaverse could see their careers impacted by it, whether now or in 10 years.

“It's these moments of intersection between physical and virtual that can really train people to help businesses take advantage of new opportunities,” Kamath said.

Top takeaways

What you need to know about the metaverse if you’re looking for a job

• The metaverse isn’t a singular, clearly defined virtual space. (At least, not yet.)
• You can access the metaverse via equipment like headsets and glasses, but also through your computer and phone.
• Remote employees can participate in meetings and events together from the metaverse.
• The metaverse impacts more than just the industries that are tasked with building it.
• A variety of career fields can include a metaverse specialization.