COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — Students at Cocke County High School got a hands-on look at potential career paths without ever leaving campus on Friday.

Around 150 students explored high demand trade professions through a virtual reality mobile workshop with the Be Pro Be Proud Tennessee (BPBP) organization. They were able to try their hand at everything from welding and electrical linework to operating heavy equipment and more. The goal is to help students find a potential career path or even discover skills and talents they didn’t know they have.

“The young ladies were over there welding while ago and they got some really good scores and they were like, ‘wow I can actually weld’. If you’re graduating senior and you want to go on to like a technical school, like your local TCAT, sign up for welding because obviously you’re a decent welder,” explained Jason Lewis, the tour manager for Be Pro Be Proud Tennessee.

Over the years, trade skills had faded from focus but now are in high demand and companies offer competitive pay.

“I know a lot of people generally think this is where you end up if you don’t do anything, but in reality is it’s an opportunity that’s really overlooked and it’s a great opportunity,” said Aiden Kendall, a senior at Cocke County High School.

Kendall played a key role helping the underclassmen operate a Virtual Reality bulldozer, a full motion simulator with controls identical to the real machine.

“Be willing to try everything even at least once you don’t have to like it, you don’t have to enjoy it, but be willing to try something to see if you maybe really enjoy it. Because you don’t know when that next passion or hobby is going to hit until you try it,” added Kendall.

Cocke County High School got the last-minute opportunity after a nearby site cancelled, and they didn’t hesitate to give their students the experience.

“I think it’s the passion. Is this something that they can kind of find a passion that they’re really interested in doing? And is this something that they’d like to do for a career and possibly for quite a few years after they leave us?” said Crystal McGaha, Cocke County Schools CTE career counselor.

Virtual reality giving Cocke County students hands-on career experience