supporting education

RodeoHouston grants $500,000 in vocational scholarships to Texas students

Nursing is just one of the vocations being funded by the Rodeo's new scholarship initiative

www.unthsc.edu

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo greatly expanded its legacy of educational support by adding $500,000 worth of vocational trade scholarships, the organization announced. Its Vocational Scholarships program has now awarded $2.8 million in scholarships since 2015.

“Vocational education plays a critical role in building a strong and sustainable workforce, which is why the Rodeo remains deeply committed to expanding its investment in these programs,” said chairman of the board Pat Mann Phillips, who spearheaded the increase. “We are proud to support these career ready scholars as they pursue opportunities that contribute to industries vital to our communities and the agriculture industry.”

The awards will go to fund 21 different associate degrees or occupational certificate programs in disciplines such as nursing, process technology, and HVAC. One hundred students will receive financial aid for the 2026-2027 school year, with 65 percent of those awards being full-ride scholarships covering tuition, books, and supplies. Students are required to attend Texas-based schools, including Brazosport College, Del Mar College, Houston City College, Lamar Institute of Technology, Lee College, Lone Star College, San Jacinto College, Texas State Technical College, Victoria College, and Wharton County Junior College.

More information on application and distribution can be found here.

Though large, the vocational scholarship program is still just a fraction of the overall educational giving supported by the Rodeo. The total amount awarded for this year alone is $30 million, with $660 million awarded since 1932. Thousands of Texas students have received tuition and other financial support as the Rodeo tries to ensure future employment in rodeo-related fields.

The expansion of the vocational program has been a major goal for Phillips, who became chairman in 2023. It was under her that the program swiftly rose above the $2 million mark, thanks in part to her securing matching funds and support from donors and colleges. She also pioneered a career fair with Workforce Solutions focused on the vocational trades.

“We are seeing continued growth in the demand for skilled professionals across a range of industries,” said Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo president and CEO Chris Boleman. “Investing in vocational education allows us to support students and veterans entering these essential fields while strengthening the workforce for the future.”

houston livestock show and rodeo education

career hotspot

Houston makes new list of America's best cities to start a career

IdeasLaboratory.com

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College graduates staying in Houston are in the right place to be, according to a new WalletHub study. Houston has emerged on a new list of the 100 best places in America for starting a career.

Houston ranked 51st out of 182 U.S. cities based on its quality of life and vast opportunities for new college graduates transitioning into the workforce. The study compared each city based on 25 relevant metrics, like the availability of entry-level jobs, each city's annual job growth rate, workforce diversity, median annual income, housing affordability, and others.

Atlanta, Orlando, and Austin respectively comprised the top three best places to start a career.

Houston ranked 48th overall for its quality of life, and appeared No. 51 for its professional opportunities for new college graduates. Whether its starting a new business or entering a high-earning job field, Houston has many more opportunities than the vast majority of other cities on the list.

"The best cities for starting a career not only have a lot of job opportunities but also provide substantial income growth potential and satisfying work conditions," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. "It’s also important to consider factors such as how fun a city is to live in or how good of a place it is for raising a family, to ensure life satisfaction outside of your career."

Other Texas hotspots for early career professionals
Austin boasts the best quality of life out of all 182 cities in the report, and the 10th best professional opportunities. The state capital also outperformed all other U.S. cities with the highest monthly average starting salaries for early career workers after being adjusted for the city's cost of living. Austin also offers the 15th highest number of entry level jobs per capita, the report said.

In a separate comparison of the cities with the largest share of residents aged 25 to 34, Austin ranked No. 5 nationally.

"In addition, Austin’s median annual household income is the 10th-highest in the nation, providing strong earning potential for those starting a career or a business," the report said. "Austin is also the sixth best city for singles, offering a vibrant social scene alongside strong career opportunities for young professionals."

Elsewhere in Texas, Dallas ranked as the second-best city in Texas for new grads to start a career and 12th nationally. Additional cities that made it into the top 100 best U.S. cities for early career professionals include Plano (No. 32), Irving (No. 42), Fort Worth (No. 64), Amarillo (No. 73), and San Antonio (No. 85).

The top 10 best cities for starting a career are:

No. 1 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 2 – Orlando, Florida
No. 3 – Austin, Texas
No. 4 – Tampa, Florida
No. 5 – Miami, Florida
No. 6 – Charleston, South Carolina
No. 7 – Pittsburgh
No. 8 – Knoxville, Tennessee
No. 9 – Salt Lake City, Utah
No. 10 – Columbia, South Carolina

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