September 09, 2025
A summer internship gave Luke Courtney the chance to merge problem-solving skills with real-world manufacturing solutions.
Mizzou Engineering students graduate with more than just classroom knowledge — they leave with hands-on experience that sets them apart in the job market. That’s thanks in part to internships with industry leaders who give students the chance to work on real problems and meaningful projects.
For Luke Courtney, a chemical engineering major with minors in math and chemistry, a summer internship at Positronic provided just that kind of opportunity. The Springfield-based company designs and manufactures high-reliability electronic connectors used in a wide range of industries, from aerospace to medical devices.
Courtney spent his summer working in the company’s plating department, where he partnered with lab chemists to help implement a new data management system. The goal? Make it easier to track and maintain plating bath set points to ensure they stay within precise parameters.
“I like puzzles and problem solving, which is part of why I chose chemical engineering,” he said. “It’s a versatile degree, and this internship really showed me how those skills translate into an industrial setting.”
Early in the internship, Courtney focused on learning—shadowing chemists, understanding the plating process, and gathering feedback on existing workflows. As the summer progressed, he shifted into testing and refining the system he helped build, identifying bugs, fixing errors, and exploring ways to improve and expand the tool.
“By the end, my days were full of troubleshooting and optimizing what I’d implemented,” he said. “It was exciting to see the results of my work in real time on the shop floor.”
Courtney credits Mizzou Engineering’s rigorous curriculum for preparing him to step into such a technical and collaborative role.
“The classes I’ve taken so far have been challenging, but they’ve given me a solid foundation to perform well during the internship,” he said.
He also emphasized the role Mizzou Engineering Career Services played in helping him land the position.
“They were a big help with resume reviews and mock interviews before the career fairs,” he said. “That preparation made a huge difference when I was meeting with recruiters.”
For Courtney, the internship reinforced his passion for the field and opened his eyes to new opportunities in chemical manufacturing and industrial chemistry.
“Positronic gave me the chance to really learn about chemical plating and manufacturing,” he said. “It was awesome being part of a process where I could watch things happen in real time and know I contributed.”
He encourages other students to seek out similar opportunities early on.
“Absolutely apply for internships,” he said. “And get involved in clubs and competition teams. Recruiters want to see that passion for your major, and those experiences really help you figure out what you enjoy doing.”
Courtney expressed gratitude for the support he received along the way.
“I’m thankful to Positronic and Mizzou Engineering for this opportunity,” he said. “It was a great experience that helped me grow both technically and professionally.”
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