Graduate Mining Engineer to Mining Manager
After graduating my first career move a big one. I had taken a job with Xstrata and it involved moving state from WA to QLD and living in a small town called Mount Isa. I joined a graduate program with about 30 other graduates in mining, geology, metallurgy and surveying. The role was attractive because the town had a lot of social events such as camping, rodeo’s, canoe and camel races and I would be working with other graduates drawn from all parts of Australia. It was an important career move because it made me grow up fast, I was alone without family and fully immersed in a mining town. I bought a house, joined several sporting teams and threw myself into work. I stayed in Mount Isa for 5 years and by the end had made lifelong friendships with the 30 other graduates, got married and gained a lot of mining experience.
I then took a year off to travel Asia and Europe with my wife. When we returned to Perth my with was pregnant with our first child and I soon started 8/6 FIFO work with Western Areas as a Senior Engineer / Alternate Underground Manager. I completed the role for three years before I was promoted to Underground Manager (UGM). The role was attractive because it had a lot of responsibility and gave me the opportunity to further develop my management and leadership skills. During my time as UGM I also built a house, had another two children and worked on maintaining a healthy FIFO marriage. Looking back on this chapter it was an important career move because I learnt how to perform in a demanding role while maintaining a good work/life balance. The work I did in this role set the foundations for my current role as Mining Manager at IGO.
I manage everything mining at IGO's Forrestania Nickel Operations
Forrestania Nickel Operations has two nickel mines called Spotted Quoll and Flying Fox. I manage the two operations which includes;
Ensuring compliance with OHS and environmental standards,
Developing and implementing mine operational and strategic planning,
Provide clarity, guidance and consistency to the mining operations by setting clear and achievable objectives,
Ensuring team participation in initiatives, meetings, investigation, training, audits,
Create a motivational climate, by personal commitment, and support of appropriate behaviors framed by IGO.
Completing project work in a team environment.
In my role there is a lot of project work that involves contribution form a wide range of people. I find this work enjoyable because I am able to interact with like minded people who accept their responsibilities and contribute to the best of their ability. At the end of a project we can look back and say we did this together.
Fake it until you make it
It is common for a person in a new role to feel less confident or even slightly phony. This feeling usually passes with time and one way to speed it up is to "Fake it until you make it" which involves acting like you have certain qualities such as confidence, competence or a optimistic mindset. Then with time and practice you will be able to realize these qualities in real life. From my experience there are moments within your working career that are not smooth sailing and using this technique can help you drop anchor and weather the storm.
Helping people achieve their professional development.
I have worked with a wide range of people all with different dreams and aspirations. One of the most satisfying achievements is helping them achieve their goals. From my experience everyone benefits from a colleagues growth, a rising tide lifts all boats.
