Navigating the journey from high school to postsecondary education is essential for building a skilled and adaptable workforce. Our initiatives connect students with the tools and opportunities necessary to pursue a variety of educational and career paths. Whether students are aiming for a two-year or four-year college, specialized training, or direct entry into the workforce, our programs provide the support needed to make informed decisions and transition smoothly into the next phase of their lives.
Our Pathways to Early College offerings include a variety of programs such as FAFSA Workshops, TRIO partnerships, and internships/mentorships that connect students with resources, training, and career exploration opportunities tailored to their unique aspirations.
FAFSA Workshops
Each year, graduating seniors and current post-secondary students complete their FAFSA whether it be for a 2-year, 4-year, or training institutions. In collaboration with our regional ISD partners and institution partners we host FAFSA events for students in the Austin region to get help with completing their FAFSA. Events usually take place in the months of October through March to meet the Texas priority deadline of March 15th. During these events, both students and parents are encouraged to attend. These events happen throughout the week and on Saturdays.
Opportunity Austin encourages regional businesses to volunteer during events to engage with students directly. Each volunteer is invited to sign-up for the events that they are available to help guide families to FAFSA completion. To volunteer, each participant needs to attend one of our OA trainings either in person or virtually. These trainings are hosted at the end of each Fall semester in collaboration with our partners Trellis and ACC. You get the answer to the most frequently asked questions about FAFSA and the opportunity to see the application from start to finish.
How employers can get involved
Interesting in volunteering?
Fill out our form with the following information:
- Your company
- Your email so that we can send you the calendar invite for the trainings
- The ISD’s you would like to engage with
TRIO
The Department of Education funded TRIO Programs (TRIO) that are outreach and student service programs designed to identify and provide services for post- secondary enrollment and career development for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO is divided into the following three groups: Upward Bound, Student Support Services (SSS), Talent Search. Collaborating with TRIO aids bringing in career and industry awareness with students across the Austin Metro area and Texas State University.
OA provides TRIO with career awareness opportunities by bringing in employers to interact with their students. As part of their grant with SSS, we optimize the following events throughout the school year and in the summer:
- Industry Breakout Rooms in which students get to hear from different employers within an industry to gain awareness of the different careers available within the company and learn about the pathway into the industry. Each company’s presentation is specific to the academic level of the students. College students hear about summer internships, while high school students get exposure to the degrees and certifications they will need after high school.
- Job site visits for students to gain exposure to a day in the life at a company and be able to build their career awareness. They get the opportunity to watch how various skills and knowledge is applied to the job.
How employers can get involved
Fill out our form with the following information:
- Your industry
- The type of opportunities you are interested in engaging in:
- Breakout rooms
- In-Class Presentations
- Job Site Visits
- If you are interested in participating:
- During the school year
- During the summer
- Maximum number of events you can do per month
Internships & Mentorships
In collaboration with our ISD and post-secondary partners, we work closely with educators, career services, training providers, and TRIO partners to connect students with companies seeking talent. By aligning student interests with business needs, we help create valuable opportunities through internships and mentorships.
Internships can be part of an established business program or a new initiative created with the company. These opportunities may be paid or unpaid, with transportation support provided by participating high schools for selected students. Internships typically last anywhere from two weeks to several months, based on the needs of the business and in coordination with high school counselors or work-study programs, when available.
Mentorship programs pair students with professionals in their field of interest, offering guidance on career pathways and job requirements to help them understand what’s needed to succeed in the industry.
How employers can get involved
Fill out our form with the following information:
- Number of student you can host
- Existing Internships/Mentorship programs in your company
- ISD’s you are interested in engaging
- Requirements for students to become an intern
We’re proud to collaborate with organizations such as Bank of America and the City of Austin through the Summer Youth Employment program. These partnerships, fueled by Opportunity Austin contributions and FAFSA grants, provide funding to support K-12 internships in high-demand fields like Emerging Leaders and STEAM. By partnering with us, businesses can engage with local students, fostering future talent while helping to grow Austin’s skilled workforce.