GeologyRocks

Hi All,

Once again it has been ages since I last updated. Probably close to a year. I am going to write a short blog on my experience and choices in getting to where I am now. I hope this will help others too!

I graduated last year, and spent a bit of time looking at jobs. In the end, I travelled to Australia and applied for jobs over here. I now work in Mount Isa, for Xstrata Copper as a Rock Mechanic.

For those students of Geology who are wondering what to do after their degree, I would recommend they concentrate their efforts towards the mining end of Geology. Sure, I came over to the Dark Side away from pure Geology, but I have not looked back. To be crude and blunt, mining pays well.  It does involve selling your soul to a company for several years, and in my case end up in pretty much the definition of "No Where". But looking at my friends from College and School, I would not have changed anything. 

That is not to say that academia is not correct either, but for me I had had enough (I always hate that double "had") of tuition and lectures. I felt it was time to attempt growing up! Not that that (grr...double words again) has really happened. I am still pretty certain I am no older than when I first arrived here on GR.   

A Masters Degree does help with job prospects, but from what I have see not massively so. Actual experience in the industry is looked on fondly. If your course has the option for Vacation work / vacation projects, go with work every time. It may make writing up a good presentation harder and you may even loose marks on it comparably, but long term it is better. I wish I had pushed myself to work in the industry when I had the opportunity. 

If you are in College and looking at your choices, you have hundreds of options. If you are happy to get dirty, live in rural areas, live away from family and school friends, but meet brilliant people, see the world, get paid well and have the opportunity to diversify (many miners own a portfolio of properties, and other businesses), look at Mining related studies.

Jack.