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​​​​​Kindergarten - 12th grade

Resources for students, parents and educators
Pilots, Flight Attendants, Ramp Agents, oh my! Career awareness is an important part of every student’s journey. We want to inform and inspire you—parents, educators, and high school students—about careers in aviation.

At Southwest Airlines®, our Purpose is to connect People to what’s important in their lives through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel. More than 30 departments at Southwest® work together to bring this Purpose to life.

Explore this page to learn about meaningful careers and discover opportunities for students to gain first-hand experience at Southwest and in the aviation industry.

Fly to your next destination.
Career exploration
Partnerships & programs
Job opportunities

Let's connect!

Are you a parent or educator looking for information about Southwest for your students? Are you a high school student interested in Southwest job opportunities? Fill out one of these forms, and we’ll contact you each semester about upcoming opportunities. 
High school junior or senior?
Connect with us here!
Parent or educator?
​​​​​​​Connect with us here!

Prepare for Takeoff: Job Chats with Southwest Employees
Are you curious about what it's like to work for an airline or what jobs are available after graduation? Southwest Airlines is excited to host quarterly virtual conversations with Southwest Employees to share possible career paths in the aviation industry!
Sign up for our upcoming job chats
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Career exploration

Can you envision yourself working on a plane, at an airport, in a maintenance hangar, or at our Corporate Campus? With over 30 departments, Southwest makes all of the above possible. Explore different career paths at Southwest and your next steps to land a career with Heart.
Check out our Career Exploration Guide
Aircraft Maintenance Technician working on an airplane part
Aircraft Maintenance
Aircraft Mechanics spend their days working with their hands to keep our planes flying safely. If you enjoy taking things apart and putting them back together, then you could do so as a Mechanic!
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Airport Operations
Airport Operations Employees are the first faces our Passengers see when they fly. This job is perfect for you if you thrive working with others in fast-paced environments.
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Corporate
The Southwest Airlines Corporate Campus is located in Dallas, Texas. If you enjoy working with others in an office (or remote) environment, corporate opportunities might pique your interest.
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Customer Support
Our Customer Support Employees provide amazing service to both our Customers and Employees as they book reservations, sell tickets, and resolve Customer concerns.
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Flight Attendants
Flight Attendants are highly trained to provide topnotch Hospitality in the sky and ensure the comfort and Safety of our Passengers as they fly to more than 100 destinations.
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Pilots
Our Southwest Pilots complete several tests and put in many hours of training to take Customers safely to and from their destinations.
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Leading future aviators with Captain Geoff B.
Learn from Captain Geoff B. how he dedicates his time to helping students discover their passions in aviation through the OBAP ACE Academy.
Explore our Careers with Heart Playlist on YouTube

Southwest Airlines partnerships & programs

At Southwest Airlines, we believe educated communities are empowered communities and that every student should receive opportunities to follow their educational dreams. Through the Southwest Airlines Scholarship program, Adopt-A-Pilot® program, and our partnerships with aviation-focused organizations, our mission is to provide opportunities that build an inclusive talent pipeline while inspiring future generations to find careers within the airline industry.
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Southwest Airlines Community Scholarship
A community-focused scholarship that reflects our commitment to expanding opportunities and highlights the importance of inclusion for future generations.
Learn more about the Southwest Community Scholarship
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Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals
The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals offers immersive programs, like Aerospace Career Education (ACE) Academies, Aerospace Professionals in Schools (APIS), and Explore Aerospace. These opportunities expose students to opportunities in aerospace through hands-on learning, guest speakers, and more.
Register for an OBAP ACE Academy
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Women in Aviation International
Women in Aviation International (WAI) supplies opportunities for girls of all ages to see themselves as future aviation professionals. The organization hosts Girls in Aviation Day, which takes place in various cities each fall, and provides year-round content through their Aviation for Girls app. 
Learn more about Girls in Aviation Day
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Adopt-A-Pilot
In 1997, Southwest launched our award-winning Adopt-A-Pilot program, which allows classrooms opportunities to “adopt” a Southwest Pilot. Southwest Pilots then engage students in fun, aviation-related lessons that define a plan for future success and spark an interest in careers in aviation.
Explore our Adopt-A-Pilot program
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Southwest Airlines Employee job chats
Are you curious about what it's like to work for an airline or what jobs are available after graduation? Southwest Airlines is excited to host quarterly virtual conversations with Southwest Employees to share about possible career paths in the aviation industry! Students can hear directly from several workgroups and learn tips to set them up for success.
Check out our events page for upcoming job chats
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Have questions?
We're here to help! Please email our Campus Reach Team if you have any questions and we'll respond as soon as possible. 
Interested? Email our Campus Reach Team!

Professional Communications Certification


Southwest Airlines is proud to offer the Professional Communications Certification, designed to prepare the next generation of professionals to communicate effectively in the workplace. The certification validates the knowledge and skills necessary to communicate effectively, think critically, and work with others, resulting in an employee with exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills. 

The Southwest Airlines Professional Communications Certification is hosted on the iCEV testing platform. Visit the iCEV website to learn more about the certification and its place in education and the workforce. 

Note: While we encourage continued professional development at every stage of life, obtaining the Professional Communications Certification does not guarantee an interview or job with Southwest Airlines. 

Questions or comments? Email us at campusreach@wnco.com.

Wanna listen to a podcast?

Check out our Career Conversations Podcast to listen to Layson R., Assistant Ramp Manager, share her journey to Southwest after high school.
Listen to Layson R.'s Career Conversation
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Job opportunities for graduating high school seniors

Many job opportunities at Southwest don't require a college degree. If you know someone with a driver’s license searching for a job, our Ramp Agent, Material Specialist, or Aircraft  Appearance Technician positions may interest them!

Landing a career at Southwest offers several benefits and perks, including unlimited space available flight privileges, up to 10% 401(k) Company match contribution dollar-for-dollar per paycheck*, career mobility resources, and more. Consider a career with Heart!

* The 401(k) Company match contribution is subject to the plan’s vesting schedule, and applicable IRS limits and match may vary based on the position.
Click to download our flyer
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Ramp Agents 
Ramp Agents marshall aircraft on the ground, and unload/load baggage, mail, and freight. This role introduces you to the aspects and logistics of running an airline, and can prepare you for future roles in Operational Leadership.
Explore Ramp Agent opportunities
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Appearance Technicians
Appearance Technicians are "the detailers" of the airline industry. These folks clean hangars and refresh our aircraft and equipment to provide a safe environment for our Customers and Crews. Individuals who hope to pursue a career in aviation maintenance should consider this role. 
Explore Appearance Technicians opportunities
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Material Specialists
This Team maintains Company storeroom logs and records, delivers aircraft parts to various Teams, and multitasks effectively to meet required deadlines. Consider this role an entry point if you're interested in a career in supply chain management or logistics.
Explore Material Specialist opportunities

High school part-time job opportunities
The following part-time job opportunities are available for students aged 16-17 years old. They're aligned with school schedules and located in Southwest cities. Please note that these jobs aren't with Southwest but with Southwest Contractors. Opportunities are available in the following cities: 
Birmingham, Ala.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Columbus, Ohio; Houston; New Orleans, Panama City Beach, Fla.; Phoenix; Pittsburgh; and St. Louis
Southwest Contractor Huntleigh is hiring Baggage Transporters, Wheelchair Pushers, and Janitorial staff.
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Learn more
Atlanta, Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Denver, Las Vegas, and Tampa, Fla.

Southwest Contractor Prospect Airport Services is hiring Wheelchair Pushers. 
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Learn more

High School Internships in Dallas, Texas

Southwest offers a paid, eight-week summer High School Internship Program in Dallas, Texas. Our hands-on program provides high school students insight into the world of work, emphasizes the importance of education, and opportunities beyond a diploma or degree.

We're not currently accepting applications for this Internship program. Please check back in early 2027. 
  • This internship is located on Southwest's Corporate Campus in Dallas, Texas. 
  • High school interns will be paid a wage of $15 per hour.
  • This position is a part-time opportunity, approximately 20-24 hours per week. 
We're excited to place interns in positions within the departments listed below:
  • Flight Operations
  • People (Human Resources)
  • Technology
  • Technical Operations
  • Candidates should be current high school Sophomores, Juniors, or Seniors.
  • To be eligible you must turn 16 years old by the start date of the internship.
  • A 2.75+ cumulative GPA is preferred. 
  • You will need reliable transportation to and from our Corporate Campus in Dallas, Texas.
  • Once offered a position, you must be able to provide documentation to verify your identity and eligibility to work at Southwest. 
  • Please see the job description for full requirements.
  • Candidates should have classroom experience using the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.).
  • Strong Candidates will have demonstrated ability to work as a member of a Team or individually. 
  • Involvement in extracurricular activities is preferred. 
  • Candidates who are quick learners, self-motivated, organized and Team-oriented are preferred. 
Activitybox

High-flying Activity Box
Gear up for an adventure with our Southwest Airlines Aviation Activity Box! We designed this kit to inspire young aviators to dream big and reach for the clouds. The kit includes a construction plane set, versatile multi-pen, and a pair of cozy fuzzy socks.
Check out our Activity Box
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Join our Talent Community.
We'll notify you about relevant positions and keep you in mind for new opportunities.
Join our Talent Community
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Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We're committed to fair hiring practices and to making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics. To learn more, read our EOE statement.
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Wanna get assistance?
If you have difficulty using our online careers site or participating in the hiring process due to a disability and require accommodations, please email Accommodations.Team@wnco.com. Please use "Accommodation Request" as the subject line of your email.

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