Resources industry provides career boom
Kirsten’s expertise and passion bring big rewards. If you envisage a job that is ‘larger than life’, then working within the global resources industry may be just the career path for you. UQ Science graduate Kirsten Aitken works for BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA), Australia’s pre-eminent supplier of premium metallurgical coal to the global steel industry. BMA owns and manages seven mine sites in Central Queensland and a major coal loading port at Hay Point near Mackay.
Kirsten Aitken Senior Geologist Blackwater Mine BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) UQ Qualifications Bachelor of Science (Geology and Geographic Information Science) 2008 SALARY RANGE* Minimum $50 000 Maximum $250 000 Average $140 000 *source MyCareer Salary Centre
As a Senior Geologist at BMA’s Blackwater Mine, one of the world’s largest open cut coal operations, Kirsten works to optimise the efficiency of metallurgical and thermal coal recovery. “Blackwater Mine has a production capacity of around 14 million tonnes per annum, which is exported to customers around the world,” she said. “BMA geologists are responsible for conducting geological, geochemical and geophysical field surveys, collecting samples, and running drilling programs to collect data for research or application.” “We then use the latest computer software to estimate probable resource locations.” Kirsten believes her qualification from UQ gave her an excellent foundation across the sciences, but also taught her technical and report writing skills, which are highly valued by employers. After attending a Careers Fair at UQ in her final year of study, Kirsten applied to the BHP Billiton Graduate Program. “I was offered a place in the program six months prior to my graduation and when I commenced the two year graduate program, I worked at two of BMA’s operations, Peak Downs Mine and Norwich Park Mine,” she said. “After completing the graduate program I was offered a fulltime position at Blackwater Mine.”
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Kirsten’s passion for her work was rewarded quickly by her employer and in November 2011, she was promoted to the role of Senior Geologist. In her spare time, Kirsten relishes the opportunity to mentor other passionate graduates and vacation students. “I enjoy the ability to grow and develop people who are keen to learn, and helping people understand geology is one of the most exciting parts of my role,” she said.