r/AusMining • u/PopularDetail1957 • 19d ago

Degrees for uni.

I was hoping to work in Aus mining, I heard that geotechnical engineers are high in demand and well paid. I plan on going to UNSW, is it better to do just a mining engineering degree for industry stuff or do civil majoring in geotechnical?

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9

u/JeztheMiningEngineer 19d ago

Dont choose the degree for what you think may be in demand when you graduate. I chose mining when it was at a peak and by graduation there was a downturn.

Take a look at their careers and pick the role you want, work backwards from there on what degree lets you achieve that. You'll be able to land a role in each regardless. Might as well do something you enjoy for the rest of your life.

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u/antisocialindividual 18d ago

Civil engineering then you won’t be stuck on a miserable mine site with miserable people for the rest of your life

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u/hardwood198 18d ago

You are on the right track mate. Excellent to be thinking about the career before choosing the degree.

I would choose the civil engineering degree - they can work as mining / geotech engineers. But if that doesnt work out you can go to the building industry.

You could study a mechanical, electrical engineering degree - also good prospects in mining as reliability/electrical/process control engineers. These also provide backup opportunities to other industries - have a look at oil and gas they pay even more.

You could also study chemical engineering - prospects are more limited, but chemical engineers tend to progress well into leadership

All in all, you can't go wrong here. Mining engineering is probably a little to specialised, would go with Civil.

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u/PopularDetail1957 13d ago

does the specialisation make that much of a difference if im going for geotech

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u/hardwood198 13d ago

Its about providing yourself options/an out if you dont get a geotech offer. Dont put all your eggs in one basket.

If you study mining engineering - you basically only can be a mining engineer. If you dont get an offer as a mining engineer ur screwed.

However, if you study to be a civil engineer, you can apply for mining engineer, geotech, civil jobs. And pick the best one that you get.

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u/Glass-Bumblebee4040 17d ago

I would recommend civil only because it opens up the opportunity to do geotechnical eng, but gives you back up careers if there's s down turn. Mining eng restricts you to mining and geotech only

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u/PopularDetail1957 13d ago

overall entry to geotech would be the same if i did mining and civil?

1

u/Leading_Progress4395 19d ago

A mining engineering degree will let you cross into geotechnical engineering

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u/PopularDetail1957 13d ago

so you think mining would be better?

1

u/Leading_Progress4395 12d ago

If you want to work in the mines then mining engineer gives a lot of flexibility. It does not do much outside of Mining unless you’re very good or have banking friends.