In Texas City, the focus is on the challenges and opportunities presented by short-term credential programs. These programs are designed to quickly equip students with skills for better-paying jobs. However, many students, like Angela Ramirez, find the journey longer and more arduous than expected. Ramirez, who started with a nursing aide credential, is now pursuing a full nursing degree at Austin Community College. The state’s investment in these programs aims to improve economic mobility, but the path is often fraught with financial and academic hurdles.