300 students from across the Manhattan region had the chance to explore a variety of exciting career pathways during the first-ever HirePaths Career Hunt event, held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the K-State Student Union. This dynamic experience was made possible through a strong partnership between HirePaths, the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation, Kansas State University, and Manhattan Area Technical College.
The Career Hunt brought together students from Onaga and Manhattan with 27 local businesses from Riley and Pottawatomie Counties. The day kicked off with an inspiring keynote presentation by Teresa Parks, Assistant Director of the Kansas State University Career Center. Throughout the day, students explored in-demand industries through hands-on activities, job simulations, and real-world conversations with local employers. The event encouraged students to start thinking about enrolling in industry-specific courses during high school to prepare for careers that align with their passions and strengths.
“It was incredible to partner with HirePaths to help prepare students for jobs in our region—regardless of the path they choose whether that’s a four-year university, a two-year technical college, an apprenticeship, or entering the workforce directly,” said Allison Muth, Talent Strategies Manager at the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce. “We want every student to feel empowered and informed about the opportunities available to them right here in their community.”
This event was made possible through a federal ESSER II grant administered through the Kansas State Department of Education and reflects the region's ongoing commitment to connecting students with career exploration and professional development opportunities.
In addition to the Career Hunt event, the Greater Manhattan Economic Partnership (GMEP) continued its collaboration with HirePaths through the Featured Communities social media campaign, which ran from February 25 to April 1, 2025. This campaign highlighted the Greater Manhattan area’s higher education institutions, technical training programs, and local career opportunities—encouraging students, families, and professionals to discover what’s possible in the Manhattan region.
The campaign also featured success stories from individuals connected to local employers, showcasing real examples of how local talent is thriving in the region’s workforce. In total, the campaign drove over 1,800 visits to the Greater Manhattan Area Featured Communities landing page.
These efforts are part of GMEP’s ongoing strategy to increase local enrollment, support workforce development, and build a strong, sustainable pipeline from education to career.
