The Inevitable Embrace of Virtual Guidance: Reflecting on PreProfessional Advising

It is truly fascinating to observe how the landscape of essential services continues to evolve, steadily moving towards digital accessibility. I recently came across the University of Utah's initiatives to streamline PreProfessional Advising Appointments (PPAs), offering both in-person and virtual options, including dedicated virtual info sessions for aspiring legal and medical professionals PreProfessional Advising Appointments and PreProfessional Advising Events. This development resonates deeply with observations I've shared over the years about the indispensable role of virtualization in our lives.

Take a moment to notice that I had brought up this thought or suggestion on the topic of virtualizing personal and professional support services years ago. I had already predicted this outcome or challenge, and I had even proposed a solution at the time. Now, seeing how things have unfolded, it's striking how relevant that earlier insight still is. Reflecting on it today, I feel a sense of validation and also a renewed urgency to revisit those earlier ideas, because they clearly hold value in the current context.

For instance, during the height of the pandemic, I advocated for a swift pivot to virtual processes in academic and career placements. In my blog, "Pandemic Inspired Placement Process" (2020), I urged leading educational institutions like the IITs to embrace virtual interviews and online recruitment platforms, emphasizing the need for a common, standardized approach. The underlying principle was clear: when face-to-face interaction becomes challenging, technology provides a powerful alternative to maintain continuity and efficiency. This is precisely what we now see being adopted for crucial pre-professional advising.

My vision for virtual support extends even further into the realm of personal well-being. I extensively detailed frameworks for online counselling and mental health support. In "KIRAN - A Ray of Hope" (2020) and "Dear Cabinet Ministers" (2025), I conceptualized online portals where individuals could access real-time video consultations with mental health experts in 'virtual cabins', ensuring accessibility, privacy, and anonymity. This model of providing personalized, sensitive guidance remotely is directly applicable to the success of virtual advising appointments. Moreover, my discussion in "Take a Look at What ChatGPT Thinks" (2023) further highlighted the advantages of online psychotherapy—convenience, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness—all benefits that virtual PPAs inherently offer to students.

Beyond advising and mental health, this principle of virtualization holds true across various sectors. I remember contemplating the efficiency of our legal systems in "Justice Delayed is Justice Denied" (2018), where I proposed the implementation of virtual online courts to address the backlog and enhance accessibility. The thread connecting all these ideas is the power of digital platforms to overcome geographical and logistical barriers, making critical services available to a wider population, irrespective of their location.

It is incredibly gratifying to witness these concepts, once ideas on paper, become a tangible reality in our educational institutions. The adoption of virtual PPAs by universities underscores a broader societal shift towards leveraging technology for improved access and efficiency. My earlier insights into virtualizing interviews, counselling, and even legal proceedings laid out the very challenges and solutions that are now unfolding. This validates the enduring relevance of these ideas and reinforces the urgency to continue exploring and refining virtual solutions, ensuring they are robust, equitable, and universally accessible for the betterment of all.

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Regards,
Hemen Parekh