Valeria Tokun Haga/THE RIDER
Texas Tech University conducted research for college and career readiness with nearly one million Texas high school students across eight graduating cohorts from 2015-16 to 2022-23 on which college preparation indicators did not show success.
“The Uneven Promise of Readiness: Which College and Career Readiness Indicators Actually Predict Success After High School?” research, was conducted by Jacob Kirksey, Texas Tech University; Jennifer Freeman, Texas Tech University; Wesley Edwards, University of North Texas; Brian Holzman, Texas A&M University; and Han Bum Lee, University of Texas at San Antonio, and published in Spring 2026.
According to the research, “By linking K–12 records to postsecondary enrollment, attainment, and workforce data, we show that some [College, Career, and Military Prep] indicators link to meaningful postsecondary and workforce trajectories, while others provide a false signal of readiness that does not translate into postsecondary success.”
In the statistics in the research between the CCMR indicators, college preparation courses have less likelihood of degree completion.
On the other hand, “Students who earn a credential in high school are the most successful after graduation, earning 15-20% more in the workforce,” according to the research.
According to the Texas Education Agency, “The Division of College, Career, and Military Preparation (CCMP) works to ensure that all Texas high school students have access to high-quality pathways to career and college.”
Tony Leandro, assistant director of career education at the UTRGV Career Center, said from his experience there can be different scenarios for students who take dual enrollment or college prep on career readiness.
“There are some students that have the innate, like understanding of what needs to be done because they have had previous experience with dual enrollment and courses that have prepared them,” Leandro said.
On the other hand, he said students who are first-time in college, with zero credit hours, are “so interested” in the information discussed. They ask questions to make sure they get a good grasp on what is expected.
“An indicator is going to be willingness to engage in career development opportunities,” Leandro replied when asked what indicators predict a student is college or career ready. “So, attending workshops or attending or becoming involved in student organizations.”
He added students who are involved in organizations are able to practice in the field they are interested in, making connections with “like-minded individuals” and bounce ideas on what their future field looks like.
“I would recommend students being naturally curious,” Leandro said. “That’s the biggest thing; it’s seeking out areas of development, whether it’s in the classroom or outside of the classroom.”
Valeria Tokun Haga/THE RIDER
He said the UTRGV Career Center offers a “wide range” of resources for students preparing during their university journey for career readiness.
“We offer VMock, which is a platform that allows students to better prepare for resume development,” Leandro said. “We also offer one-on-one sessions for resume review or mock interviews with a real person.”
He added there are also programs offered, such as career expos, workshops for interview prep, LinkedIn learning and informational sessions with employers to talk about their company and how they can support students in their future.
The assistant director said he recommends student resources the university offers, such as Forge, a job simulation platform and Coursera, which offers free professional certificates, to be more competitive when applying for positions.
Leandro said students in one-on-one sessions with the Career Center can experience career exploration by asking about their interests and what they hope to do after graduating.
“Kind of better narrow down the career that they’d like and then identify what’s a common thread within those careers so that they can also make sure that it’s also the major that they’re doing,” he said.
Leandro added the session also helps when students are going to a major, and they want to do a completely different professional career that requires a different degree.
Samuel Cosay, an English senior, said when he was in high school, he took dual enrollment and AP classes.
“They set a certain standard for academic rigor, and so you kinda get adjusted to what college courses are gonna be like and how fast the semester goes by,” Cosay said.
He said he “definitely” thinks college and career preparedness in high school helps students to get used to the college environment and get used to interacting with professors.
Peter Medina, an exercise science freshman, said he did not take dual enrollment or college prep classes in high school.
“I don’t think it’s made a difference,” Medina said. “I’ve also had some professors and advisers say that taking the enrollment classes during high school … don’t really help that much [and] they might affect your GPA.”
He added he does not think college and career preparedness in high school helps improve your future career pathway.
“I don’t think it really does because I also have two certifications,” Medina said. “I have a pharmacology certification and a phlebotomy certification, and they haven’t really helped me because I’m taking a whole different path from those certifications.”
