Want to fast-track a rewarding and exciting career as a mining engineer? Read on – here’s everything you need to know.
- You’ve got great skills: Naturally, you’ll be a maths and science whiz at school. In addition, you must develop excellent communication and problem-solving skills if you are to succeed in your chosen occupation as a mining engineer. You’ll also need to be creative – mining engineers design and make systems which are used to locate, extract and transport natural resources. They also develop and design new mining equipment and ensure mining procedures are both safe and efficient, not to mention environmentally friendly.
- Higher education: Mining engineers need at least a bachelor’s degree to find a job and many research positions also require a master’s degree or doctorate. You will study engineering, as well as basic science subjects. As you progress, emphasis will be placed on mining science and technology. Uni subjects will include geology, mining operation, mine design, metallurgy and environmental reclamation, among others. Typically, a Bachelor of Engineer (mining) is four years of full-time study. In addition, at some universities you will need to complete at least 12 weeks of engineering work experience during the summer breaks, in order to graduate from mining engineering.
- Natural-born leader: Do you have a healthy EQ, as well as a top IQ? Good, you’ll need it, in order to be a top leader in your chosen field. For mining engineers often supervise other engineers, surveyors, geologists, scientists and technicians on a mine site. Working in metropolitan, regional or remote locations around the world, mining engineers can also have adventurous careers. You’ll need to be a passionate and motivated self-starter, as mining engineers usually have to work both individually and as part of a team. This will also test your EQ, as mining engineers have to work collaboratively, in an ever-changing environment, where you must be able to both give and take criticism. It’s all part of forming healthy career habits which will see you perform at your absolute best.