Austin Community College Showcases Majors, Career Paths

AUSTIN, TX — Austin Community College invites current and prospective students and their families to explore majors and career paths at the annual ACC Fest this weekend.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at ACC Highland Campus, 6101 Highland Campus Dr. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with faculty and staff to learn about the college system's 10 areas of study, academic programs, and other educational pathways.

In addition, faculty and staff members will be available to answer questions about registration, enrollment and financial aid. The event features an interactive career assessment tool and live demonstrations from some of the top industries in Central Texas:

• Health Sciences: As many as 1 in every 4 new jobs in Central Texas over the next decade are expected to be in healthcare. ACC remains the primary source for registered nurses in Central Texas with pass rates for students taking national licensure exams at more than 92 percent. The Health Sciences Department will unveil new machines and technology available to students.

• Creative Design Technologies: Learn to create and animate 2D and 3D characters, design interactive video games, and create immersive worlds, with faculty who worked professionally in the field. Job growth is expected to increase by nearly 12 percent over the next four years in Central Texas. According to Examination Management Services, Inc. data (Emsi), the average salary of a videogame designer is $83,000 per year.

• Manufacturing: A third of major employers in Central Texas are manufacturers, but the region lacks specialized facilities for start-up companies to grow and students to gain hands-on learning experience. With more than 57,000 manufacturing jobs in Central Texas today, skilled workers can earn up to $75,000 per year. Meet 1-on-1 to learn exactly what it takes to get involved in one of the four key manufacturing industries in Austin: Engineering Technology, Architectural and Engineering Computer-Aided Design, Welding Technology, and Logistics and Global Supply Chain Management.

• Engineering: Get your Texas A&M Engineering degree for a fraction of the cost. ACC and Texas A&M launched the Texas A&M-Chevron Engineering Academy at ACC — a co-enrollment program that will get you straight into A&M’s top-ranked Engineering school. The Texas Workforce Commission projects a 25 percent growth in engineering jobs statewide in the next decade. According to the Austin Chamber of Commerce, demand for engineers in Central Texas is expected to reach 4,840 by 2022.

ACC Fest is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. Registration is not required but is encouraged. To sign up or for more information, visit austincc.edu/accfest.

About ACC

Austin Community College is a nationally recognized two-year college serving Central Texas. ACC is focused on student success and providing affordable, flexible pathways to help students reach their education goals, learn new job skills, or advance their career. The college currently enrolls more than 70,000 students annually.