2024 Steel Intern Scholarships
Paxton J. Brown
During the summer of 2024, I had the privilege of interning at Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Inc., an experience that has significantly shaped my future career in metallurgical engineering. As a co-op intern, I was provided with an invaluable opportunity to gain practical experience and find my footing in this dynamic field. Throughout my time at Nucor, I worked alongside exceptional mentors who were dedicated to imparting as much knowledge as possible in the limited time we had. Additionally, I collaborated closely with the production team, which taught me the importance of building strong relationships and working cohesively as part of a team.
One of the most impactful aspects of my internship was being immersed in Nucor’s unique culture, which has fundamentally transformed the way I approach new tasks and challenges. Safety is Nucor’s top priority, and I quickly learned that working safely, as well as ensuring the safety of others, is both a responsibility and a privilege.
My internship duties encompassed both physical and statistical analysis. The primary project I focused on was the secondary cooling process during casting. I contributed to the modeling of new secondary cooling systems based on heat transfer coefficients and the specific chemistry of each steel grade, aligning with upcoming changes in the casting process. This work involved developing and implementing operational practices to maintain proper temperature gradients during continuous casting, ultimately aiming to improve the surface quality of the finished products.
Another significant project I worked on involved the submerged-entry nozzle (SEN), which facilitates the flow of steel from the tundish to the mold while preventing atmospheric reactions. Over time, the SEN erodes due to chemical and physical interactions with the slag line. My role was to extend the SEN’s operational life, thereby enabling longer continuous steel production. After each SEN was used, I would cut it with a band saw and measure the erosion points to determine the rate of wear. Through this project, I learned to identify specific process conditions that could accelerate erosion and developed strategies to mitigate these effects.
In addition to these technical projects, I regularly participated in daily morning meetings focused on safety and mill operations, as well as weekly quality meetings. These meetings provided me with a valuable opportunity to observe how the team identifies and resolves issues in real time, reinforcing the importance of teamwork and problem-solving in a high-stakes environment.
I am grateful to everyone at Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa for making my internship such a rewarding experience. From engaging in meaningful projects to learning the essentials of teamwork, I have gained skills and insights that will undoubtedly serve me well in my future career. I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the AIST Foundation for supporting my journey and for their generous contributions to my ongoing education.