Tyler Makoski keeps safety first at Waupaca Foundry

Some college students will do anything for the perfect internship before graduation. For Tyler Makoski, that meant traveling over 900 miles to have the opportunity to work as a summer intern at Waupaca Foundry in Waupaca, Wis. Tyler is a Pennsylvania native and will graduate from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania in December 2018 with a degree in safety management.

He first heard of Waupaca Foundry from a friend who was employed at Waupaca Foundry's ductile iron foundry in Pennsylvania. Having a desire to apply his major to the manufacturing world, he jumped at the chance to work as a safety engineering intern at Plant 2/3 during summer 2017. He continued working for Waupaca Foundry in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania during the school year and returned to start another safety engineering internship at Plant 1 in Waupaca, Wis. this summer.

Tyler spends his time conducting safety audit findings in which he identifies risks and hazards within the workplace. He also creates lockout-tagout postings for machines and helps with Silica testing to assure levels in the Foundry meet OSHA's standards.

"Safety is the first priority, and that is why I enjoy coming to work every day. Waupaca Foundry has set high expectations for how a business should be run."

The past two summers have shaped his future career endeavors, and he hopes to continue working within a manufacturing company after graduation.

"I've learned real-world experience that I can take anywhere, whether it be presentation skills, high standards that Waupaca has set for their products and employees, or the confidence I need to do my job in the safety field. Everyone at the Foundry is like a family."

The Summer Help Program at Waupaca Foundry provides valuable work experience and an insight into the variety of careers in the metalcasting industry. Students interested in summer employment and internships at Waupaca Foundry are encouraged to apply.