This project addresses women’s underrepresentation in STEM by targeting invisible attrition, premature self-exclusion shaped by cultural framing, via redesigning exploration before formal selection.
Career Elevator, operating under the SHIFT framework, is a WebXR-based immersive exploration platform designed to support girls aged 12–18 during early STEM exploration. The system provides a psychologically safe, non-evaluative environment where users can explore STEM careers experientially, reflect on their emotions without pressure, and recognize shared uncertainty as normal rather than personal failure.
Rather than offering tests, rankings, or career recommendations, Career Elevator focuses on exposure, belonging, and emotional normalization. Users enter a calm virtual lobby and access an elevator that leads to four broad STEM domains—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Each floor contains multiple career spaces, emphasizing that no single role defines a field and reducing the fear of choosing “wrong.”
Within each career space, users encounter interactive environments that represent everyday work contexts rather than idealized success narratives. Through objects, ambient cues, and short reflections, the system communicates that confusion, asking for help, and gradual progress are inherent to STEM work. Role models are presented as relatable figures with non-linear paths, reinforcing identification rather than aspiration alone.
A core feature of the platform is non-verbal emotional reflection. After exploration, users select a color to represent their emotional state, allowing them to acknowledge feelings without explanation or evaluation. These inputs are aggregated into anonymous collective visualizations, enabling users to see that their uncertainty, curiosity, or hesitation is shared by others. Optional anonymous reflections further reinforce a sense of collective presence without comparison or social pressure.
By combining immersive technology, anonymous collective reflection, and inclusive design principles, Career Elevator transforms exploration from a high-risk, performance-driven moment into a low-pressure, open-ended experience. The project does not aim to decide who should enter STEM, but to ensure that no one leaves before they have had the chance to explore, belong, and choose freely.
Design.pdf