​​​​​Kindergarten - 12th grade

Resources for 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.

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!
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Career exploration
Partnerships & programs
Job opportunities

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 Employee working on a plane
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! 
Ramp Agent driving a cart and smiling at the camera
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. 
Customer Service Representative talking with a Customer
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. 
Flight Attendant giving safety instructions on a plane
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. 
A Southwest Pilot smiling out of the window on the flight deck
Pilots
Our Southwest Pilots complete several tests and put in many hours of training to take Customers safely to and from their destinations. 
Southwest Captain smiling in the cockpit of an airplane
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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.

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 a diverse talent pipeline while inspiring future generations to find careers within the airline industry.
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Southwest Airlines Scholarship
A community-centric scholarship that underscores our commitment to building a diverse talent pipeline and highlights the importance of equity and inclusion for future generations.
Learn more about the Southwest Airlines Scholarship
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OBAP ACE and Girls LAUNCH

The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) immersive Aerospace Career Education (ACE) Academies and Girls Learning and Understanding New Career Horizons (LAUNCH) programs expose students to opportunities in aerospace through hands-on learning activities, tours, and more.


Register for an OBAP ACE Academy
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Girls in Aviation Day
Girls in Aviation Day, hosted by Women in Aviation International (WAI) and which takes place in various cities each fall, supplies opportunities for girls of all ages throughout the United States to see themselves as future aviation professionals.
Learn more about Girls in Aviation Day
A Southwest Pilot speaking to elementary school students
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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High school partnerships
Southwest partners with several high schools to share career opportunities with their students through guest speakers, airport tours, and more.
Interested? Email our Campus Reach Team!
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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

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.
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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, a 9.3% 401(k) Company match, career mobility resources, and more. Consider a career with Heart!
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
A Southwest Employee cleaning an airplane wing
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 Aircraft Technicians opportunities
Two men looking at airplane parts in a warehouse
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 (HOU and IAH); 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

Southwest offers a paid, eight-week High School Internship Program in several cities during the summer. Our hands-on program provides high school students with exposure to the world of work and emphasizes the importance of education and opportunities beyond a diploma or degree.

Applications for Summer 2023 Internships are closed. Please check back for future opportunities.
Download a flyer with all the details
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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.

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