Student Journal - Curtin Student Chapter - Chemical Engineering Students Vacation Work
Having just completed my penultimate year in chemical engineering, I knew that my upcoming internship would be more than just my last opportunity to gain valuable career experience, it would likely shape the pathway I would pursue after my graduation. This made it even more important for me to ensure that this year I had the opportunity to find the career that I was looking for.
After completing an office-based internship with the processing studies team for iron ore operations last year, I realised I wanted to gain more hands-on experience and was eager to immerse myself in the operational side of the industry. So this summer, I took on the amazing opportunity to work on-site at one of Rio Tinto’s iron ore mines in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Over the summer, I was part of the Fixed Plant Process Engineering team on site, where I not only had the chance to deepen my understanding of both dry and wet iron ore processing, but more importantly was able to improve my engineering skills in a real-world setting. One of the most rewarding aspects of this placement was that after just a few short weeks, I was fully integrated into the process engineering team and contributed to all their tasks, but I was also entrusted with leading my own investigations, holding independent meetings, and contributing meaningfully to plant operations through my own optimisation project. Managing these tasks and collaborating with key stakeholders along the way gave me a sense of ownership over my work and allowed me to develop strong problem-solving and communication skills.
My experience, however, extended well beyond the technical engineering tasks. The Rio Tinto team as well as my own leader were deeply committed to ensuring that interns had the chance to expand their skill sets far beyond their core discipline. Aside from the time I spent with the process engineers, this gave me the chance to also work alongside and learn from fixed plant operators and mechanical engineers, operate a haul truck in a simulator, spent time in the mining pit and heavy machinery workshop, visit the rail operations on site, experience a blast, and so much more.
But what truly set this internship apart was the supportive and collaborative environment fostered by the site team. The mentorship I received from experienced engineers and leaders was invaluable, helping me navigate challenges and learning industry best practices. After only 12 short weeks, I not only felt like I had made meaningful contributions to site, but I had become a better engineer.
Reflecting on this experience, I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I was given throughout my time on site. The hands-on exposure, technical projects, and the team’s collaborative spirit have not only reinforced my passion for process engineering and metallurgy but also clarified the career path I want to pursue moving forward.
