Community colleges attract job seekers

AUSTIN (KXAN) - It has been a whole new world for Brittany Turner these last couple of weeks. The 20-year-old is carrying a full load at Austin Community College .

"It's a lot of studying, a lot of homework," said Brittany Turner between classes at the Rio Grande Campus near downtown Austin. The student from Houston said it is all worth it when she hears from friends who are still looking for work.

"It will be easier for me to find a higher paying job," said Turner.

That is exactly what Samuel Fernandez wants, too. At 43-years old, the former Hollywood cab driver is going back to school.

"This is a "HART" degree - heat and air conditioning refrigeration technology," said Fernandez. He joined the army reserves after high school, and is now going on 17 years with the military. He signed up for another tour because of the great benefits through the G.I. Bill. Fernandez has since found out his career path is popular. His residential air conditioning class is full.

"Absolutely everything is full," said Kathleen Christensen, ACC's Vice President of Student Support and Success Systems.

The community could has seen a steady increase of two to three percent a year, but the 13-percent increase in enrollment this year unheard of.

"The renewable energy is very popular," said Christensen. "Solar, wind, turbine - always our health sciences."

Not every area is exceeding expectations. According to the Texas Community College Teachers Association , liberal arts programs are hurting because they do not always lead directly to a job.

The extra students at ACC have led to a higher workload for admissions and financial aid personnel, but Christensen said they are keeping up with the demand. Extra faculty has been added, along with more online and weekend courses.

Next fall their eighth Central Texas campus is set to open in Round Rock.