STEM Internship Program Alumnus Balances Career and College
06/09/2025
Thomas Mathews credits MidAmerica Industrial Park’s STEM Internship Program as a launching point for success
As part of MidAmerica Industrial Park’s mission to cultivate a homegrown talent pipeline, its STEM Internship Program continues to deliver strong outcomes. One of the program’s earliest success stories is Thomas Mathews, a graduate of Inola High School and member of the first STEM internship cohort.
Mathews entered the program with a passion for problem solving and technology. On the recommendation of his high school STEM instructor, Todd Dixon, Mathews applied for the internship and was placed at RAE Corporation. There, he was able to develop his skills in drafting and gain hands-on experience in an advanced manufacturing environment.
“The internship worked with me to give me opportunities in areas I was passionate about,” said Mathews. “The knowledge and experience I gained at RAE set me up for my next steps.”
Today, Mathews works full-time for a leading manufacturer as a software developer, where he writes programs to automate engineering and drafting tasks. He also balances a demanding academic schedule and is on track to graduate in December with a bachelor’s degree in information technology.
“What I enjoy most is the openness of the problems I get to solve,” Mathews said. “Each challenge is unique, and there’s always an opportunity to improve solutions and refine processes.”
The MidAmerica STEM Internship Program remains an important component of the Park’s broader workforce development strategy. By connecting students with local employers, the program provides critical career exploration and technical skills training designed to align with the needs of employers in advanced manufacturing and technology fields.
“The success of students like Thomas reflects the impact of our education partnerships and our commitment to preparing the next generation of Oklahoma’s workforce,” said Scott Fry, director of workforce development at MidAmerica Industrial Park.