Second Life
Fashion Show Presents Professional Wear for "In World" Interviews
MOSCOW, Idaho –
With the economy taking a toll on hiring practices, companies are turning to
more innovative means of conducting in-person interviews. Second Life (SL),a
virtual reality computer environment that simulates real life, offers an
economical way to conduct global interviews, and recruiters are jumping on
board.
"Recruiting is
taking place in meta universes right now," said Brian Cleveley, University of
Idaho adjunct professor of virtual technology and design, and director of the
program's computer studio. "The same questions and same issues arise in Second
Life – or in world – as they do in real life. People are asking, 'How do I
present myself in an interview?'"
The Career and
Professional Planning department at the University of Idaho is helping students
prepare for this virtual world, and will hold a fashion show in Second Life from
noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4; the show will be broadcast on a large
projection screen in the Idaho Commons Food Court.
"The show will
focus on business wear and professional behavior in Second Life," said Cleveley.
"People make incredible fashions for the meta universe, and those using SL
should take advantage of the opportunities that are available."
While Second Life may be a virtual environment, the talents used in world
are very real. For the show, the university has partnered with a Master of
Fine Arts (MFA) candidate in fashion design from Australia, and the runway
coordinator and models are from around the globe.
KD Dial,
instructor in the College of Business and Economics' accounting department,
has provided event management – completely within world. She negotiated the
contract with the runway coordinator and is overseeing the show's logistics.
Lori Wahl,
faculty member in Family and Consumer Sciences, is serving as the fashion
industry consultant. An independent designer with international
accomplishments, she advises the project’s design and production values,
ensuring industry standards are met in world. Wahl will serve as the event's
emcee, and will work with models from all over the globe for the show.
The Virtual
Technology and Design program created the runway, model changing rooms and
designer's display pavilion for the university's campus island, Idahonia,
which will be the locale for the show. "We also will provide technical
support for the runway coordinator during the show," said Cleveley.
A panel
discussion about recruitment in Second Life and other related topics will
follow the fashion show from 1-2 p.m. The panel will consist of Lori Wahl,
University of Idaho instructor in clothing and textiles, and an independent
fashion designer; David Eames-Harlan, content strategist for IBM.com Content
Authoring Services; and Russell Miyaki, vice president and national
interactive creative director for TMP Worldwide.
"The
discussion will focus on understanding corporate culture and fashion," said
Cleveley. "The information will be relevant for physical and virtual
encounters."
The
university's Career and Professional Planning department is very much on board
with this approach; in fact, CAPP is looking into bringing recruiters to campus
"virtually" for career fairs as soon as this fall.
Cleveley
said he is "cautiously optimistic" about an extension of the University of
Idaho into virtual reality. "Some people may consider Second Life a game,"
he said. "However, it's really a forum, a community of people, with which we
need to be familiar. Students currently in junior high are using virtual
interactive worlds, and we need to be prepared for when that generation is
in college. It will be here before we know it!"
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About the
University of Idaho
Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s flagship
higher-education institution and its principal graduate education and
research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the
nation and the world. University researchers attract nearly $100 million in
research grants and contracts each year; the University of Idaho is the only
institution in the state to earn the prestigious Carnegie Foundation ranking
for high research activity. The university’s student population includes
first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars. Offering
more than 150 degree options in 10 colleges, the university combines the
strengths of a large university with the intimacy of small learning
communities. For information, visit
www.uidaho.edu.
