West Des Moines – On Monday, Valley High School opened its doors to a cutting‑edge mixed‑reality recruiting event hosted by the U.S. Navy. The program gave students a hands‑on look at Navy STEM careers, letting them virtually step aboard an aircraft carrier, assume the role of a Navy diver and discover personal career pathways through an interactive quiz.
Immersive missions showcase Navy opportunities
The three simulated missions were designed to highlight the breadth of technical and operational jobs available in the Navy. In the carrier mission, students navigated a virtual flight deck, seeing how pilots, avionics technicians and deck crew coordinate complex flight operations. The diver mission placed participants underwater, illustrating the demanding work of Navy special‑operations divers and the advanced equipment they use. Finally, a personality‑based quiz matched each student’s interests and strengths with potential Navy career tracks in aviation, engineering, special operations and more.
Recruiters stress the value of skill‑based pathways
“I feel like with the Navy, we have a lot of jobs that some kids may not even know that we have,” said Cryptologic Technician Collection Sailor Mo Touray, one of the Navy recruiters on site. “This is a great way to be like, ‘Hey, we have this, we have that, there’s something out here for everybody.'” The recruiters emphasized that the Navy seeks individuals with strong STEM foundations, encouraging students to consider how classroom learning can translate into rewarding service careers.
Scholarship information offered on the spot
In addition to the immersive experience, Navy representatives provided details about the Navy ROTC scholarship program, which can cover up to $180,000 in tuition, fees and living expenses for eligible students. Applications for the scholarship can be submitted online, and recruiters answered questions about eligibility, service commitments and the benefits of combining a college education with military training.
Community impact and future outreach
The event aligns with the school district’s focus on expanding career‑exploration opportunities for students and supporting local families in preparing for the workforce. By bringing advanced technology and real‑world career information directly to the classroom, the Navy hopes to inspire a new generation of engineers, pilots and technologists from the Des Moines metropolitan area.
Valley High School principal Dr. Lisa Hernandez praised the partnership, noting that “exposing our students to these kinds of experiences helps them see the practical applications of what they learn in math and science, and it opens doors to careers they might not have considered.” The school plans to host similar outreach programs in the future, reinforcing its commitment to hands‑on learning and community engagement.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
