Behind the Internship Experience at RPS: Learning, Mentorship and Real Manufacturing Work

Every internship tells a different story. Some discover a career path they hadn’t considered. Others build confidence by solving problems they never expected to tackle. Often, it’s the people they work alongside who leave the biggest impression.

Halfway through the summer, we caught up with Reader Precision Solutions five 2026 interns to hear about their experiences, the projects they’ve been working on, and the lessons they’ll take with them long after the summer ends.

Chris is spending his summer as an Industrial Engineering Intern and is currently pursuing an Industrial Engineering degree at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). He first connected with Reader Precision at an MSOE career fair, although the name was already familiar. Growing up, he carried a Precision Plus metal pin on his backpack, making this internship feel like a full-circle moment.

Asked Chris who has had the biggest influence on his summer, and he smiled before answering, “Can I say everybody?”

He credits the entire team for creating an environment where asking questions feels encouraged and learning does not stop at one department. Throughout the summer, Chris has worked on a variety of projects, including sorting and implementing a new organizational system for mechanical parts storage throughout the shop, standardizing bar feeder oil labels, and organizing workstations. Each project has shown him how even small improvements can make everyday work more efficient.

Outside of work, Chris collects signed records and enjoys meeting musicians. Those experiences taught him that putting yourself out there often leads to the best opportunities. That same mindset has carried into his internship, where he’s found that being bold and curious opens doors on the shop floor just as much as it does backstage.

Jeffrey is in his senior year studying Mechanical Engineering at MSOE, and this is his third summer with Reader Precision. After first connecting with RPS at an MSOE career fair, he has returned each summer, building on what he learned the year before.

Like many interns, Jeffrey remembers feeling nervous when he first walked through the door. At the time, Manufacturing Engineering Manager, Matt Dowell, was developing an automated inspection cell, giving Jeffrey an up-close look at how ideas become real solutions. Three summers later, Jeffrey is developing an inspection cell of his own that measures two parts at the same time, increasing throughput while maintaining quality.

Over the years, Jeffrey’s perspective has changed. He has learned that engineering isn’t always about building the flashiest project. It’s about making an impact. One unexpected takeaway from his internship has been seeing the world a little differently. Before joining Reader Precision, a trip to the dentist was just a trip to the dentist. Now, he can’t help but notice the engineering behind the dental supply arm and the precision components that make equipment like it possible.

His experience has also made him a mentor to this summer’s intern class. Time and time again, interns mentioned Jeffrey as someone who is always willing to answer questions or help with 3D modeling and printing projects. It’s a role that has come naturally as he’s grown from a first-time intern into someone others now look to for guidance.

Henry joined Reader Precision this summer as a Mechanical Engineering Intern before beginning his senior year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His interest in the company started after attending the 2025 grand opening celebration, where he saw firsthand the technology and innovation happening inside the facility.

If there is one lesson Henry would share with future interns, it is this: don’t be afraid of trial and error. Engineering is a process of testing, learning, and improving. Some of his biggest lessons have come from trying something that didn’t work the first time, making adjustments, and trying again. He credits the people around him for making that process easier, saying one of the biggest surprises has been how approachable everyone is. Instead of sitting behind a desk, he has been able to collaborate with different people, contribute ideas, and become part of projects from the very beginning.

One of Henry’s projects this summer was the Fox Box, a solution designed to keep parts and excess oil from exiting the Tsugami BE12-V machines. Replacing what had previously been a simple cardboard box, the Fox Box provides a more durable and consistent solution for production. The project reinforced one of Henry’s biggest takeaways: not everything works the first time, but each iteration is an opportunity to improve.

Sydney’s path to Reader Precision looks a little different than most. As a Nursing student at Creighton University, she first learned about RPS through her dad, Steve Dues, RPS Vice President of Engineering. Carpooling to work together this summer also meant discovering that the workday starts well before sunrise.

Her favorite part of the internship has been bringing order to a fast-paced environment by helping inventory materials or organizing years of digital files into a more manageable format.

Along the way, she discovered that nursing and manufacturing have more in common than she expected. Both require critical thinking, problem solving, and the belief that there’s always a solution waiting to be discovered.

Her advice for future interns is simple: don’t let your major convince you that manufacturing isn’t for you. Being open to new experiences can teach you skills that transfer far beyond a single career path.

Anacristina is pursuing her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and joined Reader Precision this summer as an Accounting Intern.

She came in expecting to strengthen her accounting skills, but her experience in manufacturing has expanded her perspective on what a career in accounting can look like. Along the way, she realized public accounting isn’t the path she wants to pursue. Instead, she’s found that the fast-paced, ever-changing environment of manufacturing is a much better fit.

She credits the finance team for creating an environment where she felt comfortable asking questions, exploring new opportunities, and growing beyond traditional accounting work. During her internship, she developed several Excel dashboards, analyzed and verified financial data, and established a baseline for the information and metrics the finance team would like to incorporate into the company’s future financial dashboard.

For Anacristina, one of the biggest lessons from her internship has been the value of stepping outside your own department. By staying curious and collaborating with others to understand their needs, she discovered new ways accounting can support the business while continuing to grow her own skills.

Ask any of this summer’s interns what they wish they’d known before their first day, and one message comes up again and again: don’t be afraid. Ask questions. Try something new. Step outside your comfort zone.

Watching this group grow over the course of the summer has been a reminder that investing in the next generation is really an investment in the future of our industry. Their projects may end with the summer, but the lessons they take with them won’t.

Whether they continue in manufacturing, engineering, accounting, healthcare, or another path entirely, we hope they leave Reader Precision with the confidence to ask questions, embrace new challenges, and make a difference wherever their careers take them. We are grateful to have been a small part of their journey and can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.

Are you a student eager to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic and innovative environment? Our Summer Internship program offers a unique opportunity to work alongside industry professionals, tackling real-world challenges and contributing to meaningful projects.

For More Information:

• Contact: Barry Butters, Director of Education and Outreach
• Email: barry.butters@readerprecision.com
• Phone: (262) 742-2601

Barry is the go-to point of contact for all inquiries related to our internship program. Whether you’re curious about the application process, specific projects, or what to expect during your internship, Barry can provide the insights you need to take the next step in your career.

At Reader Precision, we’re always looking for talented individuals who share our passion for innovation and excellence. If you’re interested in exploring a career with us, visit our careers page to learn more about current openings and how you can contribute to our mission.

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Here, you’ll find detailed information about our company culture, employee benefits, and the various roles we offer. Discover how you can be a part of a team that’s shaping the future of manufacturing and engineering.