Rachel Smithers – one of the amazing ArcelorMittal women

It is a fact that steel has not traditionally been a feminine industry. However, as with other industries, things are changing: it is not that strange now to see women mill operators, miners or even CEOs in our sites. Rachel Smithers is one of them. Metallurgical Engineer at ArcelorMittal Steelton, in the US, she explains why she chose the steel industry and what it is like being a woman in this sector…

“I have always been interested in science.  When I was a little girl, I wanted to be the 1st woman astronaut when I grew up – that was my 1st career ambition!  I had some early internships that turned me toward how machines and materials work. Those experiences focused my college studies on engineering. The steel industry gave me the best opportunities to apply the understanding of how processing, structure and properties of materials all influence each other.

At this point in my career, I don’t think being a woman is an obstacle or an advantage in my job.  When I was newer here, I think some of the operators were afraid to be themselves around me; they saw me more like a daughter than a colleague.  But, after 10 years, I really don’t think that I am treated any differently because of being a woman.  That said, I feel proud that, for young women starting their careers in 2009, being a woman in the steel industry is not as much of a novelty as it was when I started in 1998.

My favourite thing about my job is the variety. I have gotten involved with  many projects across multiple operations, worked with a wide range of people, and had the opportunity to take on new challenges to keep from getting stale in my position.”

Collaboration: Harsimran Kaur, ArcelorMittal Stelton (by the way, we have been told that she is herself one of the wonderful women of ArcelorMittal… : )