‘Challenge everything’ Samuel Soong, Process Engineer at Ausenco, shares insights on what it takes to be an emerging leader
In the lead up to AusIMM’s New Leaders Conference, we connected with Samuel Soong (pictured) to share insights on what it takes to be an emerging leader in the 21st century.
Samuel was part of the Ausenco New Professionals Program, an experience structured to provide graduates with crucial skills to become a leader in the sector. From discovering the latest in detailed design projects to hands-on work on site, Ausenco provides extensive opportunities for graduates to access mentors and develop a solid understanding on how to be an industry leader. ‘With the support of Ausenco’s experts and numerous experiences, I have been able to develop a solid technical foundation. The various roles and responsibilities the graduate program provides, gives you a sense of involvement and accomplishment which has ultimately given me confidence as a professional engineer.’
Samuel has remained at Ausenco building his career after the graduate program and is committed to continue his professional development to be an effective leader, ‘keeping up to date with new technologies, global commodity movements and how the industry is evolving with respect to the environment and social governance is important to ensure we can add value and generate an overall positive outcome.’
The Ausenco New Professionals Program has fuelled Samuel’s success as an emerging leader in the industry inspiring others to, ‘get involved with other disciplines outside of your own discipline i.e. electrical, mechanical, process, civil/structural etc. Get to know everyone’s role and what they do. This will give you a more holistic view of the world and give you a bit of context during meetings, conversations and in reports.’ Samuel urges the New Leaders attending the conference to ‘give everything a go; aim to be jack of all trades, master of ALL. Some advice I would like to share would be to challenge everything. The more you challenge a decision or a concept the more you will understand why the decision is made or how the concept came to be.’
Challenging the status quo leads to change, Samuel feels this year’s conference theme, ‘Champions of Change’, highlights the need to embrace and adapt to the ever-changing mining industry. ‘Mining is now at the forefront of developing a sustainable and greener future; and with mining in the limelight, leads to change in mining practices, social & environmental priorities as well as changes in which minerals and metals we are mining. In my experience, every engineering discipline has become more aware, and more involved in making design decisions that align with the mines’ environmental and social obligations.’
If you’re passionate about the future of the sector like Samuel, join us at the New Leaders Conference 2021 online. Tune in from anywhere in the world – register today.