Tips for Girls Who Want to Get Into Mining Engineering

In Australia's large mining sector, there are plenty of job opportunities for hard-working and talented individuals. Although the situation is not as bad as it used to be, professional females in the sector remain under-represented. In fact, a high proportion of women in the industry tend to be employed in relatively low-level administrative jobs, often on a part-time basis. This can put some girls off mining completely, especially those who have aspirations to make it in engineering. What should school-age females know about what the sector is doing to attract more women into mining engineering?

Gain Qualifications

What you need to know about mining engineering if you have a career plan for it is that the route into the industry is just the same for women as it is for men. You still need the same qualifications if you want to make it as an engineer. Of course, this will usually mean studying a course like mechanical engineering at university, but you can also move into mining engineering by gaining a valid qualification in a related field, such as geology or construction. If you don't have any academic qualifications at all, then a career in mining is still possible, but you will need to work your way up and do all the on-the-job training you can to prove your engineering prowess.

Get Mining Experience

These days, the mining industry is keen to diversify the sort of people it recruits. If you are studying for an engineering qualification and happen to be female, then this can mean you can often gain work experience simply by asking for it. Write to a mining company in a town close to your place of study and you may well be invited to gain experience during the summer break. Some companies will even provide mentorship programmes for students, especially if you show a genuine passion for mining. Alternatively, get in contact with a professional body, such as the National Committee on Women in Engineering which can put you in touch with your nearest branch. It is a good way of networking informally as well as making direct contact with a potential work experience mentor.

Look Wide for Opportunities

The best-paid engineering jobs in mining go to the most talented individuals. If you are not able to prove yourself with an Australian mine operation, then consider the opportunities for getting on the first rung of your chosen career ladder by looking at overseas companies. There are plenty of mining engineering jobs for women with Canadian and South African firms, after all.