This week, the THECB released My Texas Future, a groundbreaking new website for Texans looking to change or advance their career, return to higher education, or return to the workforce. My Texas Future helps working-age Texans identify a degree or credential that propels them to lasting, successful careers with greater earning potential and low or no debt.
Texas has set an ambitious goal of ensuring 60% of Texans 65 and under receive a degree, certificate, or other credential of value by 2030. With My Texas Future, we are prepared to reach that goal.
We know that postsecondary and career planning can be confusing, especially for busy Texans juggling families, a job, and other responsibilities. We built My Texas Future around the needs of potential students, making it easy for them to cut through the noise and identify an in-demand career in their region and an affordable program to help them get there.
A lot of tools promise to transform higher education planning and access. Here’s how we’ll actually do it with My Texas Future:
- Interactive career and program exploration tools enable users to surface skills and aspirations while exploring career interests and job demands.
- Rich data provides actionable information about in-demand occupations in their region, with the ability to compare pay, time to graduation, and more.
- For returning students, selecting a program and enrolling is no longer overwhelming. My Texas Future will connect users to an institutional advisor at their preferred college or university for provide personalized guidance. (This feature is currently only available at the 20 institutions that have signed on as My Texas Future partners.)
My Texas Future personalizes the planning experience while rooting Texans’ postsecondary decisions in practical information like real-world earnings and regional job demand.
Texas employers and business leaders benefit, as My Texas Future highlights the educational pathways that give them the skills and knowledge necessary for high-demand, high-value jobs.
And colleges and universities benefit too. Higher education institutions that partner with us on My Texas Future receive a tailored recruiting pipeline to customize outreach and support.
The current release of My Texas Future is designed for working-age Texans, including adults who have stopped out of higher education; displaced workers who need to reskill and upskill; and veterans. Future releases of the tool will make it useful for all students, including secondary school students and transfer students.
Colleges and universities interested in partnering with the THECB on My Texas Future can get more information by contacting Farcett Patrick at farcett.patrick@highered.texas.gov.