WICHITA

Build Your Future

Explore local career opportunities—and get the tools and guidance you need to start building your future in South Central Kansas.

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Wichita's growing—and your career can grow with it.

What's possible when your path starts in South Central Kansas? With all of the growth and innovation happening right here, the options feel endless.

To show you all of the opportunities Wichita has to offer, we interviewed locals about their work—and the training and education that got them there. Get inspired by their stories and advice, then use the resources on this page to start planning and building what's next on your path!

A group of young adults look over a man's shoulder as he works on a lathe.

Here's how you can get started:

Explore in-demand careers in Wichita

See which industries are hiring locally, and get a sense of what your day-to-day work could look like.

Explore Careers

Hear stories from people who’ve been in your shoes

Hear how people in Kansas found fulfilling work—and overcame any obstacles that you might be facing.

Go to Career Stories

Take the next step on your career path

Once you know what you want out of your career path, it’s time to find your next opportunity.

Find Training & Job Opportunities

What are you interested in?

We sent local young adults on a trip through South Central Kansas to learn how following your interests can lead you into growing fields and career paths in our region.

Explore in-demand careers in Wichita

Which industries are hiring near you—and what does a typical day look like in these fields? Watch the videos below to get an inside look at local opportunities.

Hear career stories from people who've been in your shoes

From getting past obstacles to navigating which educational path to take, these career stories from South Central Kansas are full of advice to help you plan your own road forward.

I'm an engineer for a company that certifies aircrafts.

Abbas Qamar, Associate Engineer, Aeronautix

I provide art therapy and mental health counseling to children, teens, and adults.

Katie Francis, Art Therapist & Co-Owner, Creative Bliss Therapy

I oversee food delivery and logistics for a mobile farmer's market.

Randy Couts, Program Advisor, Common Ground Producers and Growers, Inc.

I make sure all of the company's team members feel included, valued, respected, and appreciated.

Karen S. Carter, Chief Human Resources Officer & Chief Inclusion Officer, Dow

I support our engineering organization by finding diverse engineers and leading our college internship program.

Roy Moye III, Aerospace Engineer & Talent Acquisition Specialist, Spirit AeroSystems

I founded two specialty crop farms.

Leah Dannar-Garcia, Owner, RISE Farms & Firefly Farm

Getting your career off the ground in Wichita

Hear candid advice on how to get started in all different kinds of industries across South Central Kansas.

Take the next step on your career path

You’ve explored your interests, you’ve seen what’s possible—now it’s time to build your skills and find your next opportunity in Wichita.

Explore Growing Fields Get Financial Aid

Resources for middle & high school students

Supported by the Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas, these resources will help middle and high school students prepare for a rewarding future career. Plus, check out our tools for parents and guardians who want to support their students' success!

Xello

A K-12 online program that engages every student in building skills, knowledge, and plans for future success.

HirePaths

Info for parents and guardians who want to help their child affordably launch a successful, well-paying career.

Wichita Public Schools - College and Career Readiness

Explore how Market Value Assets (MVA) can help Wichita students seamlessly transition into college or careers.

Resources for prospective students and career seekers

If you're ready to upskill, get more education, or directly enter into one of Wichita's most exciting growing industries, these resources will help you get there.

KANSASWORKS

Create a resume, explore local jobs, and find education and training near you.

Kansas Degree Stats

Cost and earnings data for all undergraduate degree programs offered at Kansas' public universities and colleges.

Choose Wichita

From our growing industries to our arts and culture scene, learn what makes Wichita relentlessly original.

Map out your road with the Build Your Future Activity Guide

This guide will help you (or your classroom!) engage with the stories on this site—and start planning out career goals and dreams.

Download Activity Guide

Opportunity is right outside your doorstep

Watch the trailer for our new documentary series "Paths Across Kansas" to see how reaching out and networking with local leaders can open your eyes to exciting new roads.

Watch "Paths Across Kansas"

Come along as roadtrippers Aubrie, Austin, Gary, Hannah, and Mirza explore South Central Kansas and discover fulfilling work right where they grew up. Through their journey, you’ll meet inspiring professionals in each of these fields who are proud to call the Wichita region home.

Watch the two-episode series

More ways to discover who you are—and what you want out of your career

The Roadtrip Nation Experience: An online self-discovery course

A five-lesson course for students and young adults, helping you discover your interests, explore career possibilities, and connect with potential mentors. Educators & facilitators: To implement the Roadtrip Nation Experience with your learners, please reach out to support@roadtripnation.org.

Start course

Share Your Road

Share Your Road is a community where anyone can share the steps they've taken to build and grow their career—lending advice to the young people and career seekers on the path behind them.

Learn More

Watch Empowering Documentaries

Our award-winning documentaries will take you on a transformative road trip—and show you why moments of doubt and uncertainty are all normal on the path to building a fulfilling career and life.