Gavin Fritschey built his career in construction from the ground up, now working on major commercial projects with Midwest Drywall. After interrupting college to pursue full-time work in Wichita, Kansas, Gavin found stability, mentorship, and a genuine career path. Now working toward becoming an on-site project manager, Gavin takes pride in watching each building rise, floor by floor.
Gavin Fritschey works for Midwest Drywall and is currently working on the Downtown Biomedical Center in Wichita, Kansas. His path into the field began long before his current role—he worked as a laborer in construction from eighth grade through his senior year of high school, which gave him an early sense that construction was where he belonged. After high school, he attended college for two years before finding an opportunity in Wichita that led him to Midwest Drywall. He’s currently finishing his degree with two years remaining, having chosen to interrupt his schooling to start earning money right away.
Gavin has never been a fan of traditional classroom learning. He values construction for the stability it offers, pointing out that it’s one of the few fields where steady work is nearly guaranteed, and where people can start earning real income from their very first week without taking on college debt.
Making the jump from residential work, like kitchen remodels, to a nine-story commercial building was initially overwhelming for Gavin, but he credits asking questions and leaning on his coworkers for helping him adjust. He describes the team at Midwest Drywall as deeply invested in his success, crediting them with showing him patience and respect as he learned the ropes. He especially values the culture at Midwest, noting that it doesn’t feel like working for a large corporation, but instead feels like being part of a genuine mentor-mentee relationship built on integrity and honesty.
Looking ahead, Gavin hopes to become an on-site project manager within the next five to ten years, currently working his way up from an entry-level field engineer position. He takes great pride in watching a building grow under his involvement, describing the experience of seeing a project rise floor by floor as one of his favorite parts of the job. For parents hesitant about construction, Gavin’s message is direct: it’s a legitimate career path that offers real benefits, financial stability, and long-term opportunity, without the burden of significant debt.
