Blog

February is Career and Technical Education Month, a time to celebrate the programs, partnerships, and people helping students discover what’s possible after graduation. At Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA), this month is also an opportunity to spotlight our K-12 Career Coaching team and the impact they made across our nine county region last year.

In FY25, WSRCA’s Engagement and Outreach K-12 team reached thousands of middle and high school students through career exploration experiences grounded in real labor market data and local industry needs. Their work helps students connect what they’re learning in the classroom to what comes next, whether that’s college, credentialed training, apprenticeships, military service, or entering the workforce.

A Year of Meaningful Impact

Over the past year, K-12 Career Coaches engaged more than 4,200 students through career exploration events highlighting in demand career pathways. They partnered with local manufacturers to host 300 student tours during Manufacturing Month, giving students firsthand exposure to modern workplaces and high skill careers.

The team welcomed 500 students from 10 HSs to the 2nd Annual Student Healthcare Expo, hosted in partnership with Texas State University Round Rock, and expanded Cruising Through Careers to reach 2,500 students across Williamson and Caldwell Counties.

Students also gained access to hands on opportunities through apprenticeships and work based learning. More than 265 students were connected to apprenticeship pathways through the Metroplex Rally, while career readiness workshops focused on soft skills and interview prep reached 1,400+ students.

Beyond direct student engagement, the team strengthened educator connections by supporting 159 teacher externships and training 175 teachers through district PD. They also collaborated with 17 chambers of commerce and more than 200 employers, helping bridge education and industry to support the region’s future workforce.

Meet Our K-12 Career Coaches

WSRCA’s K-12 Career Coaches, Amanda Bailey, Laura Richter, and Rachel Sotelo, serve as trusted partners to school districts and communities across the region. Together, they collaborate with educators, administrators, employers, and community members to help students explore post secondary career paths aligned with local opportunities.

As a team, they bring nearly four decades of combined experience in education, CTE, and workforce readiness. Their collective background includes early childhood and secondary education, CTE instruction, department and program leadership, nonprofit education management, and district level college, career, and military readiness coordination.

Having worked across multiple TX ISDs and community based orgs, the team understands the full student journey, from early career awareness to post graduation decision making. This depth of experience allows them to meet students where they are while supporting schools in strengthening career exploration efforts that are practical, relevant, and student centered.

Building Pathways Through Partnership

What sets WSRCA’s K-12 team apart is their focus on collaboration. As former educators and education leaders, they understand the realities schools face and the value of aligning learning with real world workforce needs.

By pairing local labor market insights with strong relationships with school districts, educators, employers, and community partners, the team helps students see clear connections between education and opportunity. Their work ensures students aren’t just prepared to graduate, but prepared to succeed in careers that support their communities and the regional economy.

As we celebrate CTE Month, WSRCA is proud to recognize the dedication, expertise, and impact of our K-12 Career Coaches and the partners who work alongside them every day to build strong, sustainable career pathways for students across Rural Capital Area.