flanagaj

Hi,

My visa was granted last April and my plan was to go to Perth and work in IT, but having spent 15 years in IT I am now looking at a career change and am planning on exploring opportunities in the mining sector. I studied Chemistry at university and ended up going into investment banking IT as a result of not being able to secure a position in the oil industry, due to not taking an engineering related degree.

Just wonder whether anyone may have any ideas what roles may be open to someone with a Chemistry degree, Preferably, not IT related ones!

Thanks

EvannTel

Very little opportunity I would have thought, especially with no experience.
Why mining with a chemistry degree? Why not chemicals? Mining is about geology and engineering, not chemistry per se (although there is some).

Vegemite Kids

I have a chemistry degree which I have used directly in a lab for all of 6 months in the last 20+ years since I graduated.

I've also worked in the mining industry and my chem degree did diddly squat for me there. My engineering post grad degree on the other hand was perfect for that industry.

I now work in the oil and gas industry and my chemistry degree is much better suited to that industry although I still dont use it directly. Use my eng degree much more but having the understanding of chemistry from my first degree is very beneficial.

So my advice would be to try to get into O&G rather than mining. Think your chances of a job will be improved if you do.

flanagaj

Can I ask what post grad degree you did, and did you do the post grad straight after your chem degree ?

The reason I ask is that I graduated 15 years ago, so my chem knowledge is a little thin now

As I can go back and do an MSc in either mining or O&G I am not sure which route to investigate. Are there as many jobs in O&G in WA as there are mining ?

Charismatic

Would you consider a Laboratory Technologist position? They often become available through the periferal contractors with little experience required. Often involves fieldwork as well however (sample collecting) so be warned. Popular route into the industry, especially for those who might consider doing an msc (mine engineering or similar) later to move up the food chain.

verystormy

There is a fair bit of chemistry in mining, i am a geologist and spend about 30% of my time looking at chemistry and obviously the metalurgists spend a lot of their time with chemistry but the context of knowing in relation to rocks, minerals and earth systems is vital.

I have never heard of a pure chemist working in the industry directly. However, the lab companies i believe do employ chemists. Have a look at places such as Genalysis or SGS.

HelenTD

There are specialists in mining who are geochemists, so chemistry is used. Samples collected in the field have to be tested, either in-house or contracted out. Keep an eye on the CSIRO website, as jobs occasionally come up there. There are also field assistant jobs - quite a few advertised on www.seek.com.au, although most require experience, and you would have to be proactive in getting some under your belt.

Don't discount your IT experience - mining and O&G companies, and related services, such as geophysical data companies, pay decent sums to individuals to be TAs - technical assistants.

verystormy

I have never heard of a geochemist who wasnt a trained geo! In fact to be a real geochem normally requires a geology degree and a phd in a study that was highly chemistry based.

Also, fieldie jobs are plentiful, but they are hard work, physical and are effectivly a labourer on site doing everything from sample collection to emptying the rubbish. Dont wan to sound condacending, but might be a bit below the posters expectations.

flanagaj

I suppose which ever route I take, I will be starting at the bottom again and will no doubt have to do a certain amount of the grunt work.

Just want to make sure that I don't waste my time doing a post grad qual if it means I end up working for a pretty low wage.

If you do do a post grad qual, what sort of starting salary can I expect. I am looking for more of an engineering type role, rather than a lab based one.

verystormy

I "think" that you could do a geochem phd. Though it would involve some pretty big catch up phases with the geology. Not sure about engineering. To be a mining engineer you would probably still need to do an undergrad.

As for salaries. A new qualified phd would still be regarded as a new graduate - and rightly so as you wouldnt have the faintest idea about mining or exploration and so would be looking at a salary of about $100k. However, i would expect because of your expertise this would rise quicker than a normal grad and would be in the region of $150k within a few years.

flanagaj

Thanks. I have done some research and I can do a 1 year Geochemistry MSc. The course states that is applicable for both geology and chemistry graduates. The issue for me is that the course is in Leeds which is hundreds of miles away for me and being the bread winner I am not in a position to do that. Imperial College in London do however run a part time MSc in Petroleum Engineering ?

Not sure how I can be 100% sure that any post grad course I do will meet the requirements to enter into the Oil and Gas / Mining industry as I don't want to waste time on an unsuitable course.

verystormy

I can say that i wouldnt regard someone with a Msc as employable as a geochemist. They just wouldnt have the basics in things like minerals and structures.

I would imaginine though that the pertoleum engineering might be possible way forward. I have heard of people going down this route.

Good luck

flanagaj

I will give the university a call to discuss my concerns. Thanks for your posts

verystormy

Oops. Sorry. I just read my post again. I meant to say that i would NOT regard someone as employable. Sorry.

But, yes, still should be ok for oil