LENDING a hand to prepare a virtual reality video promoting careers in the rural health sector has added another string to Marcus Davidson's media skills bow.

The local resident, who graduated from year 12 at Galen Catholic College in 2024, took up the challenge of creating a VR video for Melbourne University which explores a day in the life of an occupational therapist.

Galen's careers and further education coordinator, Peter Girolami, said the link came about after a conversation with Melbourne University researcher Kristen Glenister about the university's program during the Careers in Health Expo held at CSU Tone Road.

"Melbourne Uni were there with their VR headset, and Kristen asked if I knew any students who could help them with the filming," Peter said.

"I organised them to come to Galen to meet a few students, they explained what they needed, and Marcus and a few students were keen.

"After that, Marcus met with them, did the filming and interviewing and came up with the final product."

Marcus said work on the project began in August, and continued through his VCE exams.

"I did five interviews with first-year occupational therapy students from Deakin and Melbourne unis, with third-year students, and with someone who has been working in OT for 20 years," he said.

"I ended up with 400 to 500 gigabytes of data.

"I had never edited with VR before, so it was something new, and it took two weeks to edit."

The film was launched for staff and students at Galen in December, and will now be used to encourage students to pursue rural health pathways for their future careers.

Marcus said he was pleased to be able to assist in something which could benefit the community, and to boost his experience as he follows his own pathway towards a career in filmmaking.

He plans to take a gap year in 2025 and develop a concept for a short film, and then hopes to study film and television at Deakin.

"Now that I know how to work with VR, I might do more of it in the future, but for now I think I'll focus on 2D footage," he said.