I Wish I Knew These Before my 10 years in Mining

I wanted to get the newsletter started - so i thought the easiest person to write to was myself. These are the key points i'd give myself before I started in mining.

I sat down and wrote 4x this amount too, and some are from chatting from friends. Let me know if I've missed any and they might be in the backup list I can dig out.

If you’re just starting out in mining — ask me anything.
And if you’re already in mining — add yours.

Notes to myself:

• The times you've been most scared are when you should take action—that's when you get the biggest results.
• Embrace your differences. You have a role and so do others. Set clear expectations and use your skill gaps to work with people on solving problems together, not against them. At the end of the day in mining, you're all away from home eating at the same camp.
• You'll get 100% of your jobs from people you've already worked with or met, not from interviews. Learn to network in a non-cringe way (yes, even as an introvert).
• Be honest when you don't know something. It's much easier than trying to BS your way through, and someone will likely teach you.
• I wish I'd been more proactive about finding a mentor. Once I found one, my learning shot up to things beyond just "my role." Not many people will go out of their way to build your career, so hold on to those who do. Avoid those who have no idea what they're doing but act like they do.
• Don't pick your study first. Instead, pick your career end goal, then find the study that will get you there—and actually pay attention because you'll use it in your career. I just learned how to pass exams without thinking about my future.
• Advocate for yourself. Don't stay silent.
• Pay isn't everything early on. Arguing over small amounts is insignificant compared to the jumps you'll get later when you're useful and knowledgeable—although don't sell yourself too short.
• When you come in with good ideas, follow through on them. Don't just go along with "how it's always been done." This may cause friction with some, but it will energize those who want better outcomes.
• Question everything, but if you do, take a crack at answering why. You'll either be right or show you're thinking. Questions alone can annoy people, but asking to confirm your knowledge is key.
• Someone without a degree can do your role—however, your degree protects your ability to swap companies, whereas someone else has to climb the ladder and stick around long enough to get recognized experience on their resume.
• In hard roles, key people in key positions make or break a place. If leadership is trying, stick around.
• People rise too quickly into big money positions, and it goes to their heads. They stop using their brains.
• Rosters are great—much better than the Monday-to-Friday grind. But when you get your breaks, do something with them.
• FIFO work with a partner is a two-way life choice.
• Drink loads of water.
• The importance of being able to use Excel (although who knows where this is heading in our future).