Jack M. Holbrook
Nucor Steel Hertford County
This summer I returned to Nucor Steel–Hertford County for my second internship as a melt shop metallurgical intern. Throughout this invaluable experience, I learned so much about the steelmaking process from amazing mentors and teammates. This internship allowed me to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to a real-world environment through a variety of meaningful projects.
A highlight from this internship was learning how the caster works at a detailed level and building relationships with the teammates in the meltshop. Observing the casting process during all stages of operation allowed me to understand it in a way that isn’t possible in a classroom setting. This learning was made possible by working with the teammates at the caster and having them share their extensive knowledge with me. These relationships with the team were also critical for the progression of my projects as they provided me with significant assistance in running my trials and providing insight based on their years of expertise.
I also spent my time working in the lab performing metallography. I was extremely fortunate to be able to learn and use a variety of equipment and preparation techniques including scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, micro-hardness testing, ultrasonic testing, and hot acid etching.
Throughout the summer, I worked on safety projects and participated in initiatives to improve safety. These projects allowed me to improve my problem solving and interpersonal skills while working towards safety improvements. Additionally, safety initiatives such as housekeeping provided me with the opportunity to see how other areas of the mill operate while contributing to a safe work environment.
This internship has been an incredible experience that I am extremely grateful to have had. I expanded my knowledge of the steelmaking process in a hands-on environment where I was able to work on and lead meaningful projects. The level of teamwork and collaboration that I witnessed was inspiring. I plan to take what I learned during this internship into my senior year and future career in the steel industry.