Rachel Smithers received her undergraduate degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 1995. She started her studies at Penn State in 1995 in the Metals program. In 1998, Rachel pursued a career opportunity with Bethlehem Steel as a metallurgical engineer in quality assurance.  Since 1998, she has worked for ArcelorMittal and its predecessor companies (Mittal Steel, International Steel Group, and Bethlehem Steel).   Most of her career to date has been focused on quality assurance, particularly as it has pertained to heat treatment of premium rail product and mechanical properties of multiple grades of rail products. Rachel is currently the Area Manager of Rail Finishing and Shipping at ArcelorMittal's Steelton (PA) plant. She is also seeking a second master's degree in Engineering Management from Penn State Harrisburg. She lives outside Harrisburg with husband, Eric,  son, Benjamin and daughter, Sarah.