Alecia R. Gonzalez
Cleveland-Cliffs Rockport
This summer, I had the opportunity to work for Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. in Rockport, Ind., USA, as a quality engineer intern. I gained firsthand experience on the finishing side of steelmaking and learned how each stage of the process contributes to meeting customer quality requirements. The experience allowed me to see how classroom concepts are applied to real-world challenges in the steel industry. Working in the finishing mill provided valuable exposure to operations such as cold rolling, annealing, pickling and galvanizing, and how each process influences the mechanical properties of steel.
My responsibilities were divided between office-based projects and laboratory work. In the office, I had the opportunity to work closely with metallurgists and process engineers while contributing to projects focused on quality and process improvement. I developed an automated Excel-based reporting tool used to analyze coil test data, including yield strength, tensile strength, elongation and n-value measurements. To streamline this workflow, it was designed to automatically import selected data, calculate statistical metrics and control limits, remove outliers, and update control charts and histograms through a simple refresh process. The result was a more efficient, consistent and user-friendly reporting system that supports data-driven decision making across the department.
In addition to data analysis projects, I spent time in the lab conducting zinc pot testing using iCAP ICP-OES equipment to evaluate coating bath chemistry. Testing methods and operating parameters were refined to improve data consistency and reliability. Close collaboration was maintained between laboratory personnel and quality engineering teams to ensure accurate communication of results and timely resolution of process-related issues.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who provided guidance and exposure to the many facets of working in a steel finishing mill and demonstrated the important role quality engineers play in both process optimization and customer satisfaction. I would also like to thank the AIST Foundation for supporting my education and Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. for providing an internship experience with a team that values collaboration, safety and innovation.