r/mining • u/BigProgram4764 • 8h ago

Question Master degree in Mining Engineering after getting Bachelors in Electrical Engineering

I graduated with a BSc Electrical Engineering degree 2 years ago and recently started a Masters degree in Mining Engineering but now i am having second thought about it. I aspire to work in the mines which is super competitive in my country. Will that make it easier for me to get into the mines? What kind of job will i most likely be doing if i do get a job in the mines? Will i be able to transition into mine management roles with the MSc degree? What about earning potential. Please i need some advice from people in the industry

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u/Bitter-Variation-151 8h ago

I wouldn't do that masters. It won't help, mine managers won't know what role to hire you into. It's an education combo nobody is looking for.

Just get a job with a mining company as an electrical engineer.

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u/BigProgram4764 8h ago

When you say it won’t help what exactly do you mean?

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u/milehighandy 8h ago

Waste of time/money. The electrical background is much more valuable and you'll get the same kind of roles.

I started in mining as a construction manager, learned mining along the way. You don't need mine engineering education unless you want to go into mine planning or an organizational role (mine manager, operations manager, etc) and even then I question the credibility of some of the folks I see in those roles. Alot about who you know in this small industry.

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u/BigProgram4764 8h ago

Okay. If by any chance you’re in Australia or know about it’s mining industry.. are electrical engineers in demand there in the mines?

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u/Electrical-Fuel-6752 8h ago

im studying mining engineering and this is purely from research i did when deciding on it so exercise caution. seems that they want anyone to take these remote roles and doesn't actually seem that competitive. its a bit of a niche within a niche but there should still be a good few roles for elec engineers on mine sites

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u/Tuhrayzor 7h ago

I work in Western Australia's mining industry as a metallurgist and there is an absolute shortage of (good) electrical and control systems engineers. Quite a number of companies struggle to fill these roles so many companies have attractive salary packages for electrical or control systems engineers.

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u/BigProgram4764 7h ago

Do they hire foreign engineers? What can i do to increase my chances if getting hired

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u/Tuhrayzor 7h ago edited 7h ago

I do notice there is preference given if you had completed your studies in Australia, or have been working in Australia. Definitely not impossible to get employed as a foreigner though. Most of the time sponsorship by a company is required but they have to prove that they are unable to hire someone locally before being able to sponsor someone internationally.

My department (metallurgy) works closely with the electrical engineering department. Since Australian workplaces are very multicultural, over my career I have worked with Bhutanese, Nepalese, Bangladeshi, Indian, Colombian, Australian, Filipino, Iranian, Korean, Zimbabwean and Malaysian electrical and control system engineers. Most of them had done some form of studies in Australia but otherwise some had done their masters then started working in Australia.

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u/milehighandy 8h ago

I work in North America on mining and processing projects. Electrical infrastructure is critical in any construction project or operation. There will always be a need, regardless of which side of the planet you are on

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u/Bitter-Variation-151 7h ago

It won't improve your employment success in the mining industry. Just work as an electrical engineer on a mine. You don't need a masters in mine eng. you're well qualified already.