Bryson R. Carey
Orion Steel Interpro Pipe and Steel
Over the past few months, I have had the opportunity to spend my summer working for InterPro Pipe and Steel, a division of Orion Steel, as a Research and Development Intern.
In the fall, I will be entering my fifth and final year of materials engineering at McMaster University, and I knew I wanted to complement my degree with well-rounded industry experience. InterPro was an ideal opportunity because of its vertically integrated operations, spanning steelmaking and casting through rolling and complete tubular operations. This translated into direct exposure to a wide range of projects and teams within the R&D department.
My main project leveraged both thermodynamic modelling and detailed microstructural analysis to investigate ways to optimize desired mechanical properties. To approach this project, I would continually pull from my previous course knowledge of phase transformations and thermodynamics. While this was my long-term project throughout my internship, I was brought on to short-term projects, which allowed me to learn about project management and communication.
One of the highlights of my internship was the opportunity to gain hands-on experience. This was directly evident when I went on a tour of InterPro’s steelmaking operations. The ability to see firsthand the processes discussed within the classroom was exciting because I was able to connect them with past course material. I have also gained hands-on experience through exposure to all areas of sample preparation. Following a sample from its initial preparation stages through to characterization, including microscopy, provided me with an overview of the detailed steps that are involved in producing meaningful results.
Additionally, I learned that within the R&D department our primary product is the technical knowledge and findings we communicate through numerous formats. Working in this setting, I became immersed in the importance of technical standards, test validation, and collaborative feedback. This approach to quality assurance was embedded in the department’s culture, and I realized that my colleagues routinely took pride in ensuring the quality of their work. This mindset is something I look forward to carrying with me throughout my future career, because it empowers me to take accountability for the work that I do.
I would like to take the time to thank the AIST scholarship committee for providing me with this experience via the Ronald E. Lincoln Scholarship. I continually reflect upon my journey with this experience at InterPro and believe that it further affirms my desire for a career in the steel industry. I would also like to thank everyone at InterPro for their guidance and support and for providing me with invaluable internship experience.