While celebrating AMETEK’s summer 2025 interns, we discovered that one intern in particular had a remarkable connection to AMETEK even before his internship.

Widme, a rising junior at Villanova University whose major is chemical engineering, recently finished his internship with Laserage, a brand of Paragon Medical that focuses on laser processing for medical device manufacturing. Before attending college, Widme also happened to be a student tutor in the Tutor Corps at the Guadalupe Center.

Based in Immokalee, Florida, the AMETEK Foundation supports the Guadalupe Center’s mission of breaking the cycle of poverty through education and making a positive impact for children through programs—like Tutor Corps—that put students on a path for success. Widme hit the ground running during his internship with AMETEK, but he made time to share a bit about his experience. Read on to learn more.

How has your internship been, and what have you enjoyed working on?

My experience has been nothing short of amazing. I’ve learned so much every day. I’ve worked on lean manufacturing to make processes more effective and efficient, quality control, customer service communications, and process documentation, among others.

My favorite project involved solving the challenge of removing excess residue after the laser cutting process. Typically, it was done by holding the product with one hand and using a pin to remove the residue under a microscope, but the challenge was that the technicians’ hands would get in the way.

I enjoyed being creative, thinking outside of the box, and using trial and error to eventually design a 3D-printed robotic arm that can rotate on four axes, allowing for complete mobility. The technicians can now mount the product on the arm without damaging it, giving them both hands free to work. 

How has your AMETEK internship helped strengthen what you’ve learned in the classroom?

This experience has helped me understand what working on the engineering side is like and what’s applicable in real-world scenarios. I’ve also been able to apply my 3D design skills in a meaningful way, and my technical writing classes have helped me create clear, straightforward, and impactful procedures for use by the business.

What was your relation to the Guadalupe Center’s Tutor Corps program?

I grew up in Florida and lived in Immokalee until I went to college. Throughout all four years of high school, I was a tutor, working with students from kindergarten through second grade. The opportunities that Tutor Corps provided gave me a fighting chance to attend university as a first-generation student.

The AMETEK Foundation proudly supports non-profit organizations like the Guadulupe Center that nurture and elevate talented students throughout their entire school journeys, empowering them to realize their full potential and eventually contribute meaningfully in their careers.

Former AMETEK CEO Walter Blankley was on the Guadalupe Center's Board of Trustees and was a strong proponent of education. He established a legacy with the Guadalupe Center through scholarship opportunities that students still use today. Walter was a catalyst in forming the AMETEK Foundation’s partnership with this important organization.