Career Exploration
Career Exploration Tools
If you’re wondering, “How do I choose the right career?” or “Where can I find a job?”—you’re in the right place. This page provides essential resources for exploring career options and finding job opportunities.
Choosing a career is a significant decision that requires thoughtful consideration and research. Seek guidance from career counselors or visit local career centers for personalized support and advice.
Career Exploration
Career Exploration
- Access career interest surveys and discover which jobs are in demand both locally and nationwide.
- Take the Xello test, which offers a comprehensive assessment of your personality and learning style, suggesting career pathways based on your responses. Xello also helps connect you with scholarships, internships, and career enhancement opportunities.
Finding a Job
- Browse current job openings suitable for both new and experienced job seekers.
- Explore opportunities in various sectors, including internships and entry-level positions.
Additional Resources
- Use career path websites to search various career options and understand what qualifications or training may be required.
Career Exploration Tools
Xello Career Assessment - Use this website and click on the drop menu to access your Xello account. Xello helps students discover the pathway that’s right for them, whether it involves a trade, college, university, entrepreneurship, or other training through short assessments. As students gain self-knowledge through assessments and reflection, they save careers, schools, programs, and experiences to form a vibrant, visual roadmap that’s easy to update and share. Wichita Public Schools uses Xello as our online platform for each student's Individual Plan of Study (IPS) and it is accessible via student RapidIdentity accounts and available on your mobile device.
Career One Stop - The flagship career, training, and job search website for the U.S. Department of Labor. The website serves job seekers, businesses, students, and career advisors with a variety of free online tools, information and resources.
Occupational Outlook Handbook - The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a publication of the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics that includes information about the nature of work, working conditions, training and education, earnings and job outlook for hundreds of different occupations in the United States.
Kansas Workforce Alliance - The Workforce Centers of South Central Kansas are a one-stop resource for job seekers and employers. At the Workforce Centers JOB SEEKERS will find the tools and training needed to build a successful career and EMPLOYERS will find help with their hiring, training, or human resources needs. Because many local, state, and federal organizations help provide these valuable services, most are available free of charge.
HYPE - Helpling Youth Prepare for Employment; One stop shop for helping youth find jobs in the Wichita area.
Bureau of Labor Statistics - A comprehensive data base that lists all jobs in the United States along with educational requirements, salary information and detailed descriptions of the career.
My Next Move - A free career assessment. No account needed. Take this assessment if you are feeling like you are not sure what you would be good at (remember this is a normal and okay feeling).
Kansas Career Navigator- Kansas Career Navigator is intended to offer all Kansans access to public state regional information to aid in the selection of education and training programs, access to workforce training providers and labor market information. The site focuses on careers, outlook, county information and postsecondary/training information. Current career lists highlight the top 10 occupations in each area that meet high wage/high demand criteria set by the Department of Labor.
SnagAJob - Need work now? Find what's available in your zip code.
Military
Joining the military offers a variety of paths depending on the branch you choose. Here’s a quick breakdown of each branch:
Army
- Focus: Ground-based operations, including infantry, artillery, and logistics.
- Opportunities: Combat roles, engineering, medical, technology, and support.
- Commitment: Active duty (full-time) or Army Reserve (part-time).
Navy
- Focus: Sea-based operations, naval warfare, and maritime defense.
- Opportunities: Engineering, aviation, medical, cybersecurity, and nuclear power.
- Commitment: Active duty or Navy Reserve.
Air Force
- Focus: Air and space superiority, cyber operations, and missile defense.
- Opportunities: Pilots, aircraft maintenance, cybersecurity, space operations.
- Commitment: Active duty or Air Force Reserve.
Marine Corps
- Focus: Rapid-response force, amphibious warfare, and specialized ground combat.
- Opportunities: Infantry, aviation, intelligence, logistics, and combat support.
- Commitment: Active duty or Marine Corps Reserve.
Coast Guard
- Focus: Maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and homeland security.
- Opportunities: Search and rescue, law enforcement, environmental protection.
- Commitment: Active duty or Coast Guard Reserve.
Space Force
- Focus: Space operations, satellite communications, and missile defense.
- Opportunities: Satellite technology, cybersecurity, and space intelligence.
- Commitment: Active duty (currently no reserve branch).
Each branch offers unique career opportunities and benefits, so it’s important to consider which aligns with your interests and goals.
Types of Military Service
Active Duty
Reserve
Military Reserve members are part-time service members who serve in various branches of the U.S. military while maintaining civilian careers or attending school. Each military branch has its own Reserve component (Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve).
Key Features:
- Part-time Commitment: Reservists typically serve one weekend a month and two weeks a year, allowing them to balance military duties with their civilian life.
- Federal Role: Unlike the National Guard, Reserve members are strictly under federal control and can be called to active duty during national emergencies, wars, or other military operations.
- Training and Deployment: Reservists receive the same training as active-duty members and can be deployed alongside them when needed.
- Benefits: Reserve members earn pay for their service, receive training, and may qualify for military benefits like education assistance, healthcare, and retirement plans.
Military Reserve service allows individuals to contribute to the military part-time while pursuing civilian careers or education, with the potential to be activated during times of need.
National Guard
The National Guard is a unique military component that serves both state and federal governments. It has two primary branches: the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.
Key Features:
- Part-time Service: Members typically serve one weekend a month and two weeks a year.
- Dual Role:
- State Role: The governor can call on the National Guard to respond to state emergencies, like natural disasters, civil disturbances, or search and rescue missions.
- Federal Role: The federal government can activate the National Guard for overseas deployments, national emergencies, or wartime support.
- Community Presence: Guardsmen often live and work in their local communities, balancing civilian jobs or education with their military service.
- Training and Benefits: National Guard members receive military training and can access benefits like tuition assistance, pay, and healthcare.
The National Guard allows individuals to serve their state and country while maintaining a civilian life.
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship program combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction, supervised by experienced professionals in the trade. It allows you to earn while you learn, progressively increasing your pay and skills as you gain experience.
Key Benefits:
- Earn While You Learn: Receive a salary while gaining valuable work experience and education.
- Diverse Learning Opportunities: Education can be provided by community colleges, technical or career schools, apprenticeship training centers, or directly by the employer. Instruction may occur in the classroom, online, or at the job site.
- Professional Mentorship: Work alongside skilled mentors and build connections with local employer associations.
- Nationally-Recognized Credential: Upon completion, you’ll earn a journeyman credential, qualifying you for advanced career opportunities.
Available Apprenticeships in Wichita
Independent Electrical Contractors
Wichita, KS 67211
316-267-4041
http://iecwichita.org/
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
Wichita, KS 67211
316-267-8255
https://ibew271.com/training
Wichita Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (WEJATC)
Wichita, KS 67203
316-264-9231
http://www.wejatc.org/
Plumbers & Pipefitters Apprenticeship Training of Kansas
Wichita, KS 67209
316-265-4291
https://www.ua441.org/
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
Wichita, KS 67207
316-524-4915
https://www.carpenters.org/training_centers/ks/
Western Missouri and Kansas Laborers District Council Joint Apprenticeship Program Laborers' Local 1290
Haysville, KS 67206
316-524-2225
http://local1290.com/index.cfm