Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area’s Career Coaches work with 36 school districts within our 9 county region to provide in-class presentations and services related to career guidance, career preparation and workforce information including:
High-growth, high-demand occupations;
Opportunities and training in middle-skill jobs;
Pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs;
Internships
Technical and/or community colleges
Career-readiness preparation
For more information, email us at: k12outreach@ruralcapital.net
Our Goal
Our goal is to bring awareness to students from elementary to high school on career options after graduation. Career awareness and exploration should happen at a young age. We believe connecting elementary and middle school students to the CTE programs offered in high school will allow students to stick with one pathway/endorsement in high school.
In turn, students will graduate with certifications and experience in a field that matches their interests and skill set. Students are also empowered to make well-informed postsecondary decisions using resources and other existing tools provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.
For Teachers: Looking for more classroom-to-career tools? Visit our Teacher Resources page for lesson plans, career exploration tools, and event opportunities designed to help you prepare your students for success.
For Students: Want to explore careers and sharpen your skills? Check out our Student Resources page for tools to help guide your future.
Meet the Team
Our Career Coaches partner with K‑12 schools across the region to support students, teachers, and administrators with career-focused services. Click on a coach below to see the school districts they serve and connect with them.
Amanda Bailey
Career Coach
Public Sector
Amanda Bailey
Career Coach
Amanda serves as a Career and Education Outreach Specialist with WSRCA focusing on collaboration with local school districts and community members to educate students on post-secondary career paths.
Amanda has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Texas Tech University. Most recently she has been the Director of Education for a local non-profit organization. Prior to that, she taught elementary school for six years, most recently in Round Rock ISD.
Need K‑12 career services? Connect with Amanda Bailey: amanda.bailey@ruralcapital.net. See the districts she serves below:
Dime Box ISD
Dripping Springs ISD
Florence ISD
Giddings ISD
Granger ISD
Hutto ISD
Jarrell ISD
Johnson City ISD
Lexington ISD
Round Rock ISD
Laura Richter
Career Coach
Public Sector
Laura Richter
Career Coach
Need K‑12 career services? Connect with Laura Richter: laura.richter@ruralcapital.net. See the districts she serves below:
School Districts Served:
Blanco ISD
Burnet ISD
Coupland ISD (only through 8th grade – then Taylor HS)
Georgetown ISD
Leander ISD
Liberty Hill ISD
Llano ISD
Marble Falls ISD
Taylor ISD
Thrall ISD
Rachel Sotelo
Career Coach
Public Sector
Rachel Sotelo
Career Coach
Rachel Sotelo serves as a Career Coach with WSRCA, focusing on collaboration with local school districts and community members to educate students on post-secondary career paths.
With 29 years in education, she has served as a business teacher, athletic coach, Career and Technical Education (CTE) department chair, CTE specialist, and CTE and Military Readiness (CCMR) coordinator. She has taught and coached in Marfa, Round Rock, Hays, and Lockhart ISDs. Rachel holds a bachelor's degree in business education from Sul Ross State University in Alpine and a master's degree in educational leadership from the University of Texas at Arlington. She serves as a Director with the Caldwell County Fair Association and is a member of the Lockhart Evening Lions Association.
Need K‑12 career services? Connect with Rachel Sotelo: rachel.sotelo@ruralcapital.net. See the districts she serves below:
School Districts Served:
Bastrop ISD
Fayetteville ISD
Flatonia ISD
Hays ISD
LaGrange ISD
Lockhart ISD
Luling ISD
McDade ISD
Prairie Lea ISD
Round Top-Carmine ISD
San Marcos ISD
San Marcos Academy
Schulenburg ISD
Smithville ISD
Wimberley ISD
More Resources
It was a chilly fall day in San Marcos, Texas, when the Future Ready outreach team pulled up to the Workforce Solutions office and noticed a clever fox curled up by a parked train car on the nearby tracks. He was relaxing in the sun, his ears perked as though listening intently. It turns out the Red Fox wasn’t just relaxing. He was hunting for new possibilities for his pack. He became a regular at the office, always lurking by the train tracks. The staff began to refer to him as “RC.”
RC was not only quick on his feet, but he was also slick too. He spent the next months building his skill set and adding tools to his belt. RC showed up consistently, and he was always on time and ready to learn. He became well-versed in soft skills, resume writing, interview skills, and all sorts of characteristics to make himself marketable. One morning bright and early, he heard of an opportunity to become an apprentice. RC took no time to commit to the apprenticeship, and over the next few years, he would go on to be a master electrician. Not only could he provide for his PACK, but his favorite part was also sharing his knowledge with the others in his den. RC also loves expanding his skills in other trades and prides himself on equipping others to hunt for their perfect careers.
It was a no-brainer for Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area’s team to bring RC on board as the ambassador and official mascot of the PACK initiative. He embodies the mission to Prepare Adolescents with Career Knowledge.
Interested in having RC visit your school or community event? Email: k12outreach@ruralcapital.net
The "Tuesday Talks" video series aims to give you need-to-know information to help your job search or career exploration. The best thing is that we designed these videos to let you learn on the go.
The Workforce Wednesdays Virtual Career Expo campaign looks to connect employers with job seekers at weekly online hiring events to empower our Rural Capital Area communities.
