Why I Chose Wichita: Advice for Interns

I knew I’d be in for a change when I moved to Wichita from Dallas for a summer internship. I had no friends or family in the area and zero idea of how I was going to meet people and find things to do. I was welcomed with open arms to a city full of unique restaurants, events and ways to get involved. By the end of the summer, I realized it’s a big city with a community vibe.

I was most excited about my opportunity to work at Spirit AeroSystems as a structural design engineer. Since my dad is a pilot, I grew up as an aviation geek and even I was blown away by the Air Capital of the World. My team gave me hands-on experience and the freedom to innovate which has led to many different learning experiences and new thought processes. I was thrilled to do real work that applied what I was learning in the classroom, all while discovering the incredible global projects that Spirit leads.

I noticed more and more that Wichita is a cool community. When I received a full-time job offer, I didn’t need to look anywhere else. Spirit offered everything I was looking for in terms of my career path and not only that, but there were also many compelling reasons to call this city home. From the Kansas Cosmosphere, enjoying happy hour at Vora, watching aircraft take off at Stearman Field, late night trivia at Chicken N Pickle with friends – I was hooked.

If you’re moving to Wichita for an internship this summer, here’s some advice from someone who’s lived it:

[1] Find your people.

By getting involved and exploring different groups and professional development organizations, you’ll find passionate people who are invested in your success. 

[2] Let go of what you can’t control.

Moving to a new city can be stressful, especially while trying to figure out what to do with your life. Take steps to improve what you can control and try to let go of what you can’t.

[3] Envision yourself here.

Being from Dallas, I wanted to move somewhere that was less chaotic but still had big city amenities. I’ve found that in Wichita.

I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything. I’m thrilled my journey took me to Wichita and I’m here to stay.