Thanks to OrthoWorx and iXplore, students will be able to experience various aspects of the orthopedics industry via virtual reality during the upcoming JA Career Ignite fair. Photo provided by OrthoWorx.

News Release

WARSAW — OrthoWorx and iXplore, a leader in immersive career discovery, on Thursday, April 10, announced its participation in JA Career Ignite, a two-day career fair hosted by Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana on Wednesday and Thursday, April 16–17. The event will take place at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne.

JA Career Ignite is designed to help high school students explore and consider taking next steps in one of four overarching post-graduation pathways: employment, enrollment, enlistment and entrepreneurship. As part of the event’s Entrepreneurship Pavilion, iXplore and OrthoWorx will showcase an interactive orthopedic career virtual reality experience, introducing students to career opportunities in one of Indiana’s most critical industries and featuring polishing, machining and med-tech entrepreneurship pathways.

“We’re excited to bring a hands-on, eyes-open experience to students — one that helps them imagine a future they may never have considered,” said Heather Jackson, chief executive officer of iXplore. “With OrthoWorx, we’ve built a VR journey that’s as real-world as it is inspiring — giving students a chance to test-drive roles in machining, polishing and entrepreneurship before they ever fill out an application.”

The OrthoWorx booth will feature 24 VR kiosks, enabling more than 1,000 students to explore the orthopedic manufacturing world through a series of realistic, gamified job simulations. Students can virtually polish a femoral head, inspect machined components or step into the shoes of a med-tech startup founder — all designed to build awareness, spark curiosity and support informed decision-making after graduation.

“This isn’t just about technology — it’s about access,” said Brooke Friedberg, talent director at OrthoWorx. “Many students in our region grow up surrounded by the orthopedic industry but don’t always see themselves in it. This experience makes that future feel real, tangible and exciting.”

The VR experience is part of a broader collaboration between OrthoWorx and iXplore to reach students across northern Indiana and beyond, using immersive storytelling and career simulation to engage tomorrow’s workforce today.