Interning @ ArcelorMittal Dofasco

Submitted by: Grace McGeachie, Talent Management Intern

Somethings can't be taught in a classroom...

I’ll introduce myself to you as I would to any other person I met on the street: Grace McGeachie, 20 years old, third year DeGroote commerce student in a 16-month Talent Management internship at ArcelorMittal Dofasco. But, you’re not every other person on the street are you? You want to know the inside scoop on interning for this company. And that my friend is what I am going to give you. The inside scoop on my experience to date.

Day 1

8am is early! The first class at McMaster is 8:30, and that extra half an hour really makes a difference. But, this is my first position making significantly over minimum wage and in the area I may want to dedicate the rest of my tuition dollars to – recruiting – so I can do the extra half-hour : )

Today, I spent the morning in safety orientations. There really is no way to jazz up health and safety; well I didn’t think there was anyway. But if you live and breathe health and safety like they do here, it’s hard not to catch the enthusiasm.

This morning flew by and soon enough I was assigned my new work station/home for the next 16 months. Come on DeGroote, let’s put this education to work!

Day 5

This morning a request was made for my presence in interviewing for a senior analyst position at ArcelorMittal Dofasco. My presence? Shouldn’t I be filing or photocopying something? Isn’t that what interns do? Work their way to the top (or an acceptable middle) through menial tasks others have too much seniority to do?

Throughout the interview I struggled to keep up with the acronyms flying between the interviewer and candidate, but I managed to get the gist of the position. After the candidate scurried out of the room the hiring manager turned to me and in a no-funny-business tone asked my opinion on the candidate. One piece of advice: companies are looking for different perspectives and as an intern you cannot be afraid to speak up and defend your opinion. You may not be an expert in your area yet, but your fresh eyes and thoughts are what employers are after. Remember, this sort of experience is what helps you develop into an expert and leader in your field!

Day 11

Every new employee that enters ArcelorMittal Dofasco attends an employee induction the morning they begin: interns, permanents, casuals, summer students, professionals, manufacturing employees – everyone. This is essential for setting the tone for the entire time you are at the company. And just two short weeks after attending my own induction, I am leading the inductions for the new hires.

If it’s possible, I think I am more excited for their first day than they are! Dropping off my new hires in the lobby for their supervisor to pick them up after induction feels like I am leaving my kindergarteners on their first day, backpacks, steel-toed boots, and lunch boxes in tow!

Day 29

Ah! I cannot believe I led my first interview today. I know it is not comparable to skydiving, but the rush is definitely there. I guess a hundred mispronounced words and fumbles later really does translate into practice makes perfect. I’m not an expert interviewer (yet!) so it is just so nice to have my mentor there with me to guide me along the right path when I fall a little off course (or forget to ask a question in the interview) instead of having to wait for a formal evaluation at the end of the year. Anyways, today was also tour day – finally! Yes, 32 students decked out in hard hats, ear plugs and safety glasses was quite a sight but it was eye-opening to see how hot rolled steel is produced. A fan in the steelmaking facility went down on our tour and instantly the control room was a hub of activity. Engineers analyzing the computer software graphs to maintenance trade employees being paged to address the issue. Speed is essential to getting the process back on track and I know it will impact how I review candidates for hire in the future.

Stay tuned for more updates from Grace on her time as an Intern with ArcelorMittal Dofasco. Do you have questions for Grace about her experience so far, or would you like information on what it is like to be an intern in another area of our company?

Drop us an email: communitystrength@arcelormittal.com