Career Options Magazine

Why would you want to keep us in mind? Here are a few reasons: mining means rewarding jobs, great career prospects, exotic travel opportunities and good money.

Here’s the deal. Over the next 10 years, a ton of people will retire from the mining industry. There are going to be some amazing careers opening up, so now is the time to get the education and training you need to jump on board. Mining pays really well, and because many companies operate all over the world, employees can travel and see some interesting places while making a nice salary.

We talk to a lot of young people at career events. We know that most of them don’t have the facts about the industry. It’s too bad that so many people overlook mining as a career when most of the world around us (transportation, medicine, entertainment and countless other aspects of our lives) is possible because of mining. Plus, mining has changed a lot over the past five to 10 years. There are some really interesting things happening in our industry that you should know about as you explore your career options.

» Mining companies care about the communities in which they operate. Did you know that the mining sector provides massive financial support to communities and social causes every year as part of the companies’ corporate social responsibility goals?

» Mining companies care about the environment. Did you know that one company turned a tailings (waste water) site into a wetland habitat for ducks, and that another company looked at migration patterns of caribou before building roads to the site?

» Mining is high tech. Did you know that you can dig underground in the Northwest Territories using a remote-controlled shovel in Toronto?

» Mining companies hire women and men. Did you know that 50 percent of the huge-haul truck drivers for one of Canada’s major mining companies are women?

» Mining work schedules and approaches vary. You might think that a mining work schedule involves a 16-hour underground shift with a pick and shovel every day. This picture is far from the truth in Canada today. Schedules vary depending on the type of mining career you choose. Some people in mining work 9 to 5, five days a week. Others may work
two weeks on, two weeks off (fly in/fly out). Also, many mines aren’t even underground. Metals and minerals for your computer, kitchen sink, bike, makeup, sunscreen and so on are extracted using a process called surface mining.

Mining includes four different phases: exploration, development, operations and rehabilitation. There are more than 120 occupations in the mining sector, ranging from sales and finance, to engineering and geology, to heavy equipment operation and health and safety, to environmental monitoring, community relations and human resources, to IT and graphic simulation. Perhaps you’re already working toward a degree or diploma in one of these fields and are planning to spend the school year figuring out which sector to tap into next summer or when you graduate. Read on…

We have some interesting programs and resources you can use to Explore for More.

For example, you might want to get involved in our Virtual MineMentor Program (VMMP).

The VMMP uses technology to match post-secondary students with exceptional mining industry employees, boosting your knowledge and your resume. Where you live isn’t an issue among pairs, because you will connect online. Mentorship takes place mainly through the Virtual MineMentor portal.

Participants can use instant messaging, blogs, community message boards, email and more to communicate with their partners in the MineMentor community. Even if you’re not sure whether you want to go into mining, you can join the program to learn more about the industry before you decide. If you want to know more about the VMMP, the best thing to do is to contact Jen, the coordinator, or read up on the program through the website: www.acareerinmining.ca.

If you are graduating and on the hunt for an exciting career opportunity, come to our Explore for More Virtual Career Fair on January 27th. It’s easy! No need to travel or even to change out of your PJs to connect with employers from all across Canada. Simply go to www.virtualminingcareerfair.ca for more information.

If you want to know more, check us out on Facebook by searching Explore for More, or on YouTube (www.youtube.com/exploreformore). Send us comments, ask questions, view our
NEW Video Library and much more.

Open your mind… A career in mining is more than you think! CO

For more information about the Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR), visit our website (www.mihr.ca) or send us an email (info@mihr.ca).