VR, Vital Signs & Video Games: The Medical Game Designer

VR, Vital Signs & Video Games: The Medical Game Designer

In this episode of Majors, Minors & Maybes, we explore the fascinating world of the Medical Game Designer. The creative minds building video games, VR simulations, and interactive experiences that teach patients, train doctors, and make healthcare less intimidating. Through the story of Andie, a designer creating a game that helps kids understand and manage asthma, we uncover how gaming, medicine, psychology, and technology collide to create real-world impact. From virtual emergency rooms to patient education adventures, this episode dives into: * how medical games are developed * the science behind learning through play * what to study if you’re interested in this career * internships, volunteer opportunities, and skills that help you break into the field Whether you love coding, storytelling, healthcare, or gaming, this episode might just introduce you to a career you never knew existed. Press start on one of the most unexpected careers in healthcare. Show Notes: Medical Game Designer: Turning Healthcare Into a High-Score Mission Dr. W explores the career of medical game designers, who combine game mechanics with medical knowledge to train healthcare professionals, educate patients, support rehabilitation, and reduce anxiety before procedures using tools like VR, AR, and mobile apps. The episode follows eight-year-old Liam using a VR asthma game where levels teach triggers, inflammation, and inhaler use, improving his confidence and adherence. Andie, a biomedical engineering major with a game design minor, is introduced as the creator who partnered with clinicians and developers after seeing kids’ fear in a children’s hospital. Dr. W explains daily work like building realistic scenarios and decision trees, collaborating with medical teams, user testing, and using gameplay data as a research tool, plus pathways into the field, portfolio-building tips, workplaces, schedules, and salary ranges. 00:00 Saving Lives Like a Game 00:19 Meet Dr W and the Quest 00:48 Liam’s VR Asthma Mission 02:05 Andy Builds the Game 03:56 What Medical Game Designers Do 05:03 Office Hours Career Advice 06:44 A Day in the Job 07:55 Majors Minors and Skill Stack 09:15 Breaking In Salary and Workplaces 11:11 Why This Career Matters 11:46 Tech Data and High Scores 12:21 Wrap Up and Next Episode

The Mind Behind The Mission: The Aerospace Behavioral Scientist

From astronaut teamwork and stress management to designing safer systems for pilots and space crews, this career sits at the intersection of psychology, engineering, neuroscience, and space exploration. But what does an aerospace behavioral scientist actually do every day? How do you study human behavior when gravity disappears? And what can students study now if they dream of helping humans thrive beyond Earth? Through storytelling, curious career exploration, and practical career insight, this episode uncovers a profession most people have never heard of, but one that may shape the future of human spaceflight. Perfect for students who love psychology, aviation, STEM, human performance, design thinking, or simply asking: “How do humans adapt when the world around them changes completely?” Because sometimes the biggest challenge in space… isn’t the rocket. It’s understanding the humans inside it. Show Notes: Aerospace Behavioral Scientist: Engineering Human Resilience in Space Dr. W. introduces the career of an aerospace behavioral scientist, experts who study how astronauts think, feel, communicate, and perform during long-duration missions in confined, high-stakes environments. Through a vignette of subtle crew tension and the example of Luna, a psychology major who added human factors engineering and pursued a master’s in space psychology, the episode explains how these scientists research isolation, sleep, stress, and team dynamics using Earth-based simulations and tools like behavioral monitoring, interventions, and virtual-reality “space inoculation” training. The script outlines relevant psychology specializations, complementary majors (e.g., human factors, aerospace, data science), the typical need for graduate school, workplaces like NASA’s Behavioral Health and Performance Lab and military/aviation labs, and a salary range of $75,000–$150,000. It closes by teasing a future episode on medical game designers. 00:00 Astronaut Mindset Mystery 00:55 Life in a Tin Can 02:46 Meet Luna’s Origin Story 05:54 What They Really Do 08:05 Training and Education Path 11:20 Career Reality and Pay 11:47 Day to Day and VR 12:53 Wrap Up and Next Episode

Majors Minors & Maybes: Season 2 Trailer

Do you know what you want to be when you grow up? Season 2 of Majors, Minors & Maybes is back! This time, we’re digging even deeper into the careers you didn’t know existed, but suddenly can’t stop thinking about. We’re talking about the kind of jobs that make you pause mid-scroll and say, “Wait that’s a thing?” The kind of careers your guidance counselor definitely forgot to mention. The kind that sound made up… until they’re not. This season, we’re opening the door to even more curious and quietly fascinating professions, one story at a time. So, whether you’ve got a five-year plan, no plan, or a color-coded spreadsheet that’s hanging on by a thread, you’re in the right place. Because around here, curiosity is the major and everything else? Optional. Season 2 drops now and you’re going to want to take notes! Show Notes: Unexpected Paths: Careers Shaping the Future The script introduces a season focused on innovative, future-shaping careers that people often stumble upon rather than plan for, highlighting jobs most people aren’t aware exist. It invites listeners who wonder “what else could I be doing?” to follow along as the show traces unexpected paths to uncover emerging roles shaping the future before they’re widely known. Dr. W. positions the season as a guide for those seeking alternatives beyond familiar options and closes by addressing that season two begins now. 00:00 Careers You Stumble Upon 00:11 Digging for Future Jobs 00:20 Hidden World of Work 00:23 Following Unexpected Paths 00:30 Jobs You Haven't Heard Of 00:33 Shaping the Future Early 00:39 What Else Could I Do 00:42 Season Two Starts Now

Fashion Without Fabric: The 3D Garment/Apparel Designer

What happens when fashion meets the future? Enter the world of the 3D garment/apparel designer. The pros turning pixels into pants and software into style. In this episode of Majors, Minors & Maybes, we follow Lila, a digital designer whose “day at the office” includes sculpting clothes in 3D, stress-testing fabrics in virtual wind tunnels, and making sure a gown drapes flawlessly before a single thread is cut. It’s fast, it’s sustainable, and it’s transforming how the fashion industry works, from haute couture to your hoodie. Bonus: You’ll even hear from Mikelle Drew-Pellum, a real 3D apparel designer, about why this career is more than a trend. It’s the future of fashion. If you’ve ever wondered who designs the clothes you can’t yet touch but already love, this episode is for you. Mikelle Drew-Pellum 383designstudionyc.com [http://383designstudionyc.com] instagram.com/383design [http://instagram.com/383design] linkedin.com/in/mikelledrew [http://linkedin.com/in/mikelledrew] tiktok.com/@383design [http://tiktok.com/@383design] Show Notes: 3D Garment/Apparel Designer: Fashion Built in Pixels Before Fabric Dr. W launches season two of “Majors, Minors, and Maybes” by spotlighting the 3D garment/apparel designer, a career blending fashion, code, and sustainability by creating virtual garments that drape, stretch, and move before any physical sample is made. Through a day-in-the-life of Lila, the episode shows digital prototyping, instant global collaboration, stress-testing fit and fabrics, and designing metaverse-only couture for avatars. Dr. W explains how tools like CLO 3D and Browzwear speed timelines, reduce textile waste, and expand fashion into digital wardrobes, and includes insights from 3D designer Mikelle Drew Pellum on patternmaking, virtual sewing, accurate fit, and sustainability gains from fewer physical samples. The episode suggests relevant majors, key skills, work settings, a $60K–$100K+ salary range, and teases next week’s career: Aerospace Behavioral Scientist. 00:00 Season Two Returns 01:44 Meet the 3D Designer 02:02 A Day With Lila 03:59 Office Hours Breakdown 05:13 Pro Explains the Process 05:54 How to Get Started 07:29 Why 3D Changes Fashion 08:41 Sustainability Impact 09:55 Digital Fashion Boom 10:58 Wrap Up and Next Episode

Checked, Curated & Carry-On Ready: The Personal Travel Gear Curator

It's our season finale and we are going out in style with wrinkle-free, perfectly packed layers. In this episode, we meet Jordan, a personal travel gear curator who turns chaotic packing into a luxury experience. Think RFID kits, climate-smart wardrobes, and outfits tailored by region, vibe, and weather app. But that’s not all, we’re reflecting on our wild ride through the wonderfully weird world of work, and giving you a sneak peek at what’s ahead. So before you jet off for the holidays, press play, because your passport isn’t the only thing getting stamped with inspiration. Show Notes: Unpacking the Role of a Personal Travel Gear Curator In the season finale of 'Majors, Minors, and Maybes, Dr. W, a professor and part-time career sleuth, introduces us to the unique and fascinating job of a personal travel gear curator. This professional ensures clients travel efficiently and in style, preparing them with everything from wardrobes to tech gadgets. We meet Jordan, a travel gear curator who shares their experience of organizing perfect travel kits for various climates and needs. The episode not only delves into the logistics and creativity required for the role but also explores the potential career opportunities in travel consulting, luxury concierge services, and fashion logistics. Dr. W. wraps up the season with tips and insights, encouraging listeners to look into their quirks for potential career paths and teasing the upcoming second season. 00:00 Introduction to the Personal Travel Gear Curator 00:54 Meet Jordan: The Personal Travel Gear Curator 01:26 The Art and Science of Packing 01:46 Season Finale Reflections 02:19 Final Office Hours: Holiday Edition 02:40 Career Advice for Travel Enthusiasts 03:09 High-End Travel Curation 03:28 Season Wrap-Up and Future Plans 03:57 Holiday Wishes and Farewell