You Won't Believe What Happens at Montana Tech’s Iron and Steelmaking Days – Are You Missing Out?

Montana Technological University is gearing up to host its inaugural Iron and Steelmaking Days on February 17-18, 2026, at the Student Union Building. This new campus-wide event aims to immerse current students in the vital world of iron and steel production—an industry critical to global infrastructure and growth.

The event is spearheaded by Basak Anameric, Montana Tech’s Nucor Professor, and is supported by the American Iron and Steel Institute of Technology (AIST) Foundation through the Kent D. Peaslee Junior Faculty Award. This award focuses on enhancing iron and steelmaking education at universities while igniting student interest in metallurgy and engineering disciplines.

“I am honored and humbled to receive the AIST Foundation, 2025-2026 Kent D. Peaslee Junior Faculty Award,” Anameric stated. “This recognition reflects the partnership between iron and steel industry, AIST, Montana Tech, and its students. Dr. Peaslee was a champion for education, research, and industry partnership. I will carry the torch he lit, encouraging the next generation of engineers to serve in iron, steel, and supporting industries.”

According to Anameric, this award is more than just a personal achievement; it represents an opportunity to bring more iron and steelmaking education to Montana Tech. “The first step is connecting students directly with industry—hearing what employers want, seeing how steel is made, and understanding the range of opportunities available,” she added.

Prominent iron and steel producers, including Nucor, Steel Dynamics, and Opta, are already recruiting graduates from Montana Tech. Anameric hopes that Iron and Steelmaking Days will strengthen these connections and introduce students to a broader array of employers, technologies, and career paths.

“Steelmaking isn’t just for metallurgy and materials science students,” Anameric emphasized. “Mechanical, civil, environmental, and electrical engineers, welders, designers, and construction professionals all play major roles. We want students from across campus to see where they fit into this industry.”

The global iron and steelmaking sector is booming, producing nearly two billion metric tons annually. This industry underpins diverse fields from infrastructure and renewable energy to transportation and manufacturing. Notably, entry-level salaries for positions in the steel sector often surpass average engineering starting wages, offering significant long-term career mobility across various technologies and facilities.

Iron and Steelmaking Days promises to be packed with activities designed for both learning and networking, including:

• Lectures from industry professionals
• A roundtable discussion with students, faculty, and industry representatives on workforce expectations
• AIST presentations focused on student scholarships and internship opportunities
• Hands-on laboratory demonstrations
• Lunch and a social hour with industry professionals
• Information sessions from industry partners and a mini career fair

One of the highlights, according to Anameric, will be the roundtable discussion.

“When I was an undergraduate, I constantly wondered if I was doing the right things to become a good engineer,” she recalled. “This is a space where students can ask those questions directly and get honest feedback from industry professionals.”

The hands-on laboratory demonstrations will highlight practical iron and steelmaking concepts, a pivotal experience that fueled Anameric's own passion for the field. “Seeing molten metal for the first time is unforgettable,” she said. “That orange glow hooked me. I hope these demonstrations help students feel that same excitement.”

In a forward-thinking move, Anameric plans to expand the program in future years to include outreach to K-12 students, introducing younger learners to metallurgy and engineering before they choose a college major. “Many students pick a major without fully understanding what it involves,” she explained. “If they learn about metallurgy early, they may discover an interest they didn’t know they had.”

The Iron and Steelmaking Day is open to students from all disciplines, with no cap on attendance. Demonstration sessions will be tailored to accommodate growing interest, allowing more students to participate as registration increases.

“I want students to walk away with something useful—whether that’s career advice, a new industry contact, or a clearer picture of their future,” Anameric concluded.

By uniting industry leaders, faculty, and students, Montana Tech aims to fortify its position as a key pipeline for the iron and steel industry while providing students with practical insights into one of engineering’s most enduring fields. For students contemplating careers in engineering, skilled trades, or manufacturing, Iron and Steelmaking Day offers a unique opportunity to see how classroom learning translates into real-world impact—and to understand how steel continues to shape our modern world.

To register for the event, students can click here. They are also encouraged to complete a survey here before the event to submit questions for the roundtable discussion.