Texas State University’s TRIO programs and Opportunity Austin partnered to host career workshops and employer panels across in-demand industries to set up pre-collegiate students for success when selecting their college majors and career paths.
The partnership developed in 2024 and culminated with recent events held at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) and Kalahari Resorts & Conventions for students from Austin ISD, Del Valle ISD, San Marcos CISD, and Seguin ISD.
“From the Texas State side, we want to focus on bridging the gaps between pre-collegiate students to college major choices and workforce development opportunities,” said Rafael Cordero, executive director for TRIO programs. “We also added the component of having the students’ families at the workshops so it’s an educational process for them as well.”
With that focus in mind, TXST sought to deepen their relationship with Opportunity Austin and develop opportunities for pre-collegiate students to learn about career pathways.
“Opportunity Austin works directly with employers to understand their evolving workforce needs and shares those insights with our education and training partners,” said Gilbert Zavala, vice president of education and talent development for Opportunity Austin. “By connecting industry with workforce providers, we help ensure that training programs are aligned with real employer demand – creating clear, effective pathways for students to gain the skills needed to succeed in high-demand careers.”
As part of their COTA site visit, students met with the architecture, engineering, and construction firms that are building the new theme park next to the racetrack and received an early look at the under-construction rollercoaster. Leadership at the firms discussed their history, the buildings they’ve worked on throughout Central Texas, and the career options in engineering, construction, trades and other roles, providing students an inside look into their industries.
During the trip to Kalahari, students attended two employer panels focused on careers in technology and advanced manufacturing. Students had the opportunity to ask questions, interact with employers, and spend time at the waterpark after the panels.
Thomas Natal, a senior at San Marcos High School, attended both the COTA and Kalahari events. He wanted to participate because of the opportunities to grow academically and professionally. He was also interested in learning about the career pathways he could take after high school.
“I wanted to challenge myself and step into spaces that would prepare me for life after high school,” Natal said. “Participating in these events has set me up for future college and career success because they pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow my communication and networking skills. These experiences also showed me that success is not just about academics—it’s about taking advantage of opportunities, building relationships, and being open to growth.”
Marissa Diaz, a senior at San Marcos High School, also attended both events. She wanted to be better prepared for college by the time she became a senior to get ready to make college decisions.
“I hoped to learn more about different colleges and discover resources that could help me find the right fit for my future,” Diaz said. “My experience at Kalahari was fun and insightful and was my first time going there. I had the chance to learn about engineering, which was interesting to hear about. COTA was also a great experience. It gave me a better understanding of what the work field looks like, which was helpful.”
In addition to the two larger events over the summer, Talent Search also holds smaller workshops in classrooms to better serve the 2,000 students the program reaches. The workshops focus on resume writing, internship opportunities, connecting with employers, and other topics.
“There’s a tremendous impact with the students learning from these organizations and the people doing the work,” Cordero said. “They also bring it all the way back to the importance of receiving a post-secondary education and why students should start thinking through their choices of college majors and career paths.”
Recently, The U.S. Department of Education awarded TRIO programs at TXST with two grants to support the success of low-income, first-generation eligible students at no cost through 2030. Opportunity Austin will partner with TRIO Programs to offer opportunities and resources for the grants.
Visit the TRIO programs website for more information on all available resources and programs, including the Upward Bound, Veterans Upward Bound, and Student Support Services programs.
TRIO programs and Opportunity thanks the following organizations who presented at the COTA and Kalahari events: White Construction, Garza EMC, Barlett Cocke, NXP Semiconductors, Emerson, East West Manufacturing, Talent Guard, Silicon Labs, Sabey Data Systems, Tekscend Photomask, and Athena Manufacturing.