AIST Foundation Steel Intern Scholarship
Hartleigh B. Gardner
It has been an incredible honor to be a recipient of the AIST Steel Intern Scholarship for the second year. This opportunity has been a testament to the value of continued learning and professional development. This summer, I returned to ArcelorMittal Calvert (formerly AM/NS Calvert) as an environmental intern, where I had the opportunity to build upon the foundation laid during my first internship and take on new, impactful responsibilities.
This year, I was mentored by Corey Singleton and the members of his environmental team, all of whom played a pivotal role in guiding my development and expanding my technical knowledge. With their support, I was able to see one of my previous year’s designs — upgrading the stormwater sampling platforms — fully constructed and implemented across the facility. Witnessing my design come to life and contributing to the plant’s environmental compliance efforts was a deeply rewarding experience and a proud milestone in my early career.
My primary project this summer involved installing an autosampler at one of our Take Over Points (TOP) for wastewater discharge within the support system. This task gave me deeper insight into the facility’s operations, as I collaborated with area operators, reviewed technical drawings, and coordinated with contractors to determine the most effective implementation strategy for this complex system.
Additionally, I worked on a project aimed at eliminating a State Indirect Discharge (SID) point into our stormwater drains — a change projected to save the company more than US$20,000 per month. Although the project is currently paused pending a permit modification, I was responsible for designing the proposed solution and I look forward to seeing it implemented once regulatory approval is secured.
Beyond design work, my responsibilities expanded to include supporting wastewater and air compliance efforts, participating in environmental audits, and assisting with data analysis for regulatory air reporting. Thanks to my prior experience, I was also able to lead fieldwork and train contractors in tasks such as wastewater sampling and inspections. A highlight of this summer was gaining firsthand exposure to ArcelorMittal Calvert’s new steelmaking process, which was both educational and inspiring to witness in person.
One of the most valuable aspects of this internship has been the mentorship and collaboration with professionals who are passionate about sustainability and innovation in the steel industry. Their guidance has helped me grow not only as an engineer but also as a team member and future leader in the field.
I am especially grateful to AIST for making this experience possible once again. The Steel Intern Scholarship has not only supported my education but has also opened doors to hands-on learning and meaningful contributions within the steel industry. I look forward to continuing my journey in this field, inspired by the work I’ve done and the people I’ve met at ArcelorMittal Calvert.