Engineering & The Economic Climate

The mining boom may be over, but there is still a shortage of professional engineers in the industry. I myself know a few people that have given up on mining and metallurgy because of what is currently happening, some people even in their first year. We just have to remember that when it comes to the economy, what goes down, will eventually come up, and people need to be in a position to work for the mining industry when it does.

Yes I know what is currently happening does suck, and it probably will be harder to get things like vacation work next year. However, I'm still not worried about graduating with a position in the mining industry, because I now that I will be well placed no matter what.

Vacation Work

I've now completed about 7 weeks worth of vacation work. It is really flexible here, and i have been enjoying the work. Ive been applying my university work to practical solutions, and coming up with a few of my own original designs. I recommend Sedgman to anyone looking for a graduate position in coal, or some vacation work!

Vacation Work

I've currently been doing my second year of vacation work for about three weeks now. I've been working for Sedgman, designing & optimising coal preparation & handling plants. It's been good because i can now acytally apply my university studies to an industry job. I will be working here until march, enjoying every moment of it.

Mitch.

Whats Been Happening

Haven't done a great deal since returning from Europe, been pretty quiet because I spent all my hard earned money! Managed to do the annual Gayndah trip in september. Apart from that have been pretty focused on Uni, exams in two weeks time! Hopefully will be getting vacation work at a metallurgical consulting firm. Update soon.

Peace out,

Mitch.

Oh yeh woops forgot, I moved out of home!

Europe Trip

I have just returned from a whirlwind trip of Europe, which I financed with the money I made from vacation work over last summer, totally worth it now. Me and two mates went to heaps of countries. We visited London, Paris, Bruge (Belgium), Amsterdam, Berlin, Munich, Interlaken (Switzerland), Venice, Florence, Rome & Dubai. The trip went for five weeks. I experienced lots of different cultures, and compared to Australia, these places are very old, and very interesting. The only reason I was able to go on this trip though was vacation work, so if you are into mining, and want to do something like this while you are young, get some money over summer, (because Europe is too cold to visit anyway!).

Mitchy.

2nd year engineering....

So we are now half way through the first semester of second year engineering, I have to say its better then first, because subjects are alot more specialized, but the workload has picked up a bit, I'm still there 5 days a week....the engineers curse, however i finish early or start late most days which is good because i value my sleepins, unlike last year where i started at 8 every day.... next weekend we have a fieldtrip to Gladstone to an aluminium refinery & smelter, and then i have heaps of exams and assignments....fun. Its ok because at the end of this semester i have a trip to Europe to look forward to.....yay!

update soon,

Mitch

Mt Gordon Vac Work: 5th & Final

Twas my last swing at Gunpowder, and it was quite an exciting one. The boys seemed to know it was my last 9 days, and hence I bought a lot of cartons that week. Throughout the week i was working on ore hardness testing, which ended up failing after 8 days of work, and needless to say I wasnt very happy. On my last night i had a big party with maybe 20 friends from Gunpowder, which ended close too 3 oclock in the morning, and we had to be at work by 6 :(.

Overall Gunpowder was a good first experience, I had fun, and I learnt a whole lot from the guys there about processes, and the mining industry in general. I now know what to expect when i graduate.