July 16th, 2009
RSI brings on summer interns

STAFF REPORT

KYLE – RSI, a manufacturer of rugged technology, has brought on three high school interns this summer to help them understand the real-world challenges of working in a high tech environment.

The interns worked at the RSI plant on Kohler’ Crossing Road, from June 15 to July 17. Each intern worked 20-25 hours per week.

“We wanted to conduct this internship program in order to promote careers in Science and Technology through the Hays Independent School District’s engineering program within our community,” said RSI CEO Harish Malkani. “Our industry is experiencing a lack of qualified engineers right now and we think this program will help to promote this type of career as well as benefit those students already making the commitments to become engineers.”

The interns are Mackie Gmitter and Brad Weber, from Hays High School, and Samantha Williamson from Lehman High School. Gmitter is working with AutoCAD and Solidworks programs, which are used for detailing displays and servers. Weber works in a unique cable assembly area, which creates and applies cable labels, as well as working in the mass production area. Williamson is assisting RSI’s production manager with backorder log status and she also worked in the cable assembly area, crimping contacts and operating test sets to check final assemblies.

“RSI is a great example of what kind of success a community can have by these kind of partnerships,” said Tom Mattis, Kyle city manager. “RSI has proven to be a great neighbor, contributor and leader in our city. We feel very fortunate to have them here.”

Said Hays CISD Assistant Superintendent of Information, Communications and Student Services Julie Jerome, “This clearly demonstrates how the success of a city also benefits our educational system by providing our students with very unique and useful opportunities. It’s clear this program benefits our students by giving them the tools, skills and experience to navigate in the job world.”