How to Build a Life Changing Career in Mining
During this podcast we are lucky enough to have two inspirational mining engineering graduates who have gone on to build remarkable careers in mining. We hear how Douglas Thompson, an experienced mining executive and Darren Stralow from Northern Star Resources have built their careers in mining. They also shine a light on how rewarding the mining sector can be, provide valuable insights about the industry and how those interested can get their career start.
2:09 - Key Inspirations that led to their mining careers
7:23 - Career advice from Darren and Douglas
13:43 - Douglas’s Impressive and taking your career to the next level
21:10 - Northern Star Resources share price increase and what it meant for staff careers
26:05 - Diversity at Northern Star Resources
38:53 - WASM promoting the industry and success stories from within
45:45 - What Thiess looks for in people when recruiting
49:53 - Darren’s passion in creating career pathways into the mining industry
56:05 - A message to year 10-12 students considering a mining career
1 hr - A final note from Darren and Douglas about what a career in mining has given them and their families
Key Inspirations that led to their mining careers
Douglas: The inspiration for Douglas was a primary need to get into the industry and to follow in his family’s footsteps. People were also a primary attraction; he has found very passionate and likeminded people whilst in underground mining. Being able to scale and be involved in multiple disciplines was intoxicating to Douglas, and he loved the opportunities.
Darren: Mining is about the people, and the people are what make mining a great industry. Being able to work with different people and getting fast feedback was desirable to Darren, making it a great career choice for him. He also loves the practical, dynamic and interactive environment mining brings.
Career advice from Darren and Douglas
Darren: You don’t work for companies; you work for people. Once you get into the day-to-day life of the job, the people that have the biggest influence on yourself are the people around you. Find people who you can have a great two-way relationship with. You have to deliver for them, and they give back to you by giving you opportunities which is a huge driver for your own development.
Douglas: Leadership is a privilege, and it comes with accountability. You must serve others and give context and understanding why the common goal is the right goal which is fulfilling the purpose of being a leader. The best move Douglas has made is through Genesis joining the mining industry, it has offered so much. Being able to work internationally in his career has also been pivotal to his career, where learning from different cultures, seeing how different challenges are solved and learning how others think has been achieved.
Douglas’s Impressive growth and taking your career to the next level
The three key steps which contributed to Douglas’s career growth –
1. A willingness to follow- understand you work with multiple stakeholders and meet the needs with clear intention and strategies whilst serving the different stakeholders.
2. Have a clear state of mind where your purpose sits with that, think about “what do I bring to the table.” It is also important to be honest with yourself, work hard and find solutions to any problems.
3. There is a little touch of magic, luck and having a great support system behind you to push you into the opportunities you are striving for.
Douglas knew what he wanted to achieve both personally and professionally and he made it happen with support around him. You need to sacrifice but also balance your family and personal life whilst doing so. You need to be honest with yourself and look at the return on the investment on your career.
Northern Star Resources share price increase and what it meant for staff careers
It has been an interesting journey and sometimes you have to pinch yourself. The recapitalisation over 10 years ago was a huge factor, it was a risk, but we received a return. Reflecting on the business, it is important to look at the opportunity – NSR went from a couple of people in an office with an ambition to own mine sites to what it is today. The success is reliant on the people and NSR has a fundamental philosophy to give career opportunities to those performing well in the business as well. What is really pleasing has been to see the people grow alongside the business over the years.
Diversity at Northern Star Resources
When you have a firm development culture, it provides the opportunity to help others move up and attain higher roles. You have an obligation to those below you to backfill where you have come from and being supported by good people is important in a growth organisation. This is huge at Northern Star Resources and something they focus on heavily.
WASM promoting the industry and success stories from within (WASM - Western Australian School of Mines)
There are great stories everywhere such as small country town boys who have built massive Western Australian companies and forged great mining jobs, through WASM pathways. WASM teaches and inspires high school kids to start careers in mining and supports those students through industry interaction. Joining WASM is like joining a family!
What Thiess looks for in people when recruiting
The primary factor when recruiting is having people with open minds. This means having the ability to adapt and learn and be open to the ideas that there are other views that you can draw from and environments you can be exposed to. Recruits must have a willingness to be vulnerable, you can only learn from a situation is you fail or there is a shortcoming, it is and important lesson to grow and evolve. Work ethic is also an important, education is a backbone but a willingness to apply yourself and align with the business strategy are strong traits to have.
Darren’s passion in creating career pathways into the mining industry
For those based in Western Australia in high school and looking towards getting a job within the mining industry, Northern Star Resources are hosting exciting events targeted towards high school students. This includes students in grades 10 who are keen to get on the pathway to enter the mining industry.
1st Event – Get into Resources – an interactive event at Metropolitan Tafe in Perth over three days at the end of June where attendees will hear from mining companies and find out more through interactive and practical demonstrations.
2nd Event – Resources Technology Showcase – Hosted at convention centre in the Perth City where all the technological resources within the industry are showcased.
Northern Star Resources also fund mining camps, and have done for many years, where they take people to visit the mines and WASM to see the team doing the groundwork. These camps have been successful in the past, and they look forward to funding more in the future, helping those interested in a mining career get their start and the information they are looking for.
A message to year 10-12 students considering a mining career
Mining is a critical industry and is all about opportunity where there are a massive range of rewarding roles. Every discipline has a mining application and one of the huge benefits is the fast feedback. It is rewarding to get that feedback on your influence on the operations and being rewarded for your efforts. There are opportunities to evolve your career by entering the mining industry and there are no limits. It is time for those who want to get out there and roll their sleeves up to get involved and make a difference whilst having a rewarding career!
Society needs the industry; it has the opportunity and the funding, and it is at a time where those coming into the industry can help shape the world and make change.
A final note from Darren and Douglas about what a career in mining has given them and their families
Darren: Mining has given us everything we have, and the most important thing is not about what it has given us but its about looking back and seeing the achievements and rewards. The people and the friends made from the mining industry has been the most rewarding.
Douglas: The tangible assets and experiences you have are the most rewarding and influential. Exposure and life opportunities with the people in the industry has also been a blessing.
Let’s go on an inspiring journey by listening, learning and taking key actions from our own recruitment experts as well as industry leaders and inspirational individuals.
Together, each month, we unpack key actions on how we can all learn from others’ experiences and industry knowledge; unlocking our own transformative change, so that we can all become the best version of ourselves.
