Whether you are looking to find community, develop new skills, take on a leadership role, or network with professionals, the University of Arizona has several student clubs and professional associations related to mining & mineral resources for students to make connections.
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) Student Chapter
This chapter offers avenues of education not otherwise available to mining, engineering, and geosciences students, through hands-on experiences in a working mine, interaction with experienced engineers, tours of operating properties, attendance at national and state industry conventions, and exposure to the aggregates industry as a whole. Email us or connect on LinkedIn to learn more.
Society of Earth Science Students (SESS)
The Society of Earth Science Students is an undergrad geosciences student club open to all majors. The club hosts professional development events that range from volunteer work to guest speakers, and they also host social events so that students with similar interests can meet each other. Students involved often take hiking and camping trips in addition to an annual spring break trip. SESS students also participate in education outreach through the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show as well as the Tucson Festival of Books.
Society of Economic Geologists (SEG)
The Society of Economic Geologists (SEG) is an international organization of individual members with interests in the field of economic geology. The Society's membership includes representatives from industry, academia, and government institutions. Annual conferences, field trips, short courses, and publications ensure an active communication of economic geology-related concepts within the membership and with the economic geology profession-at-large.
The University of Arizona SEG Student Chapter facilitates these aims by connecting student members of any major to resources, seminars and field trips designed to increase knowledge of orebody formation and discovery. The UA Student Chapter is particularly fortunate to have great local ties with economic geologists and mining companies, which leads to excellent career advice, technical development, and local mine/deposit tours. Check out our website and email us to learn more.
Society of Mining, Metallurgy, & Exploration (SME)
The University of Arizona’s SME student club brings students together to build a broad-based understanding of the minerals industry and a sense of unity and identity with their peers. Students in SME learn about the fields of mining, metallurgy and exploration through education and direct exposure to mining practices, equipment, sustainability, and safety. Benefits to joining include professional development, networking with companies, scholarships, social events, attending conferences and more. SME majors include engineering, geology, business, sciences, but all majors are welcome.
Students for Sustainability (SFS)
Students for Sustainability is an ASUA program that empowers students, builds leaders, and pursues institutionalized sustainability at the University of Arizona and within the surrounding community. SFS works to engage the student body to cultivate environmental literacy from many perspectives. SFS works to do this through the ASUA model of empowering student leaders, advancing social justice and equality, and in pursuing institutionalized sustainability at the University of Arizona and within the Tucson community. In relation to mining & mineral resources, students involved in SFS can possibly work towards addressing sustainable development challenges such as electronic waste recycling, energy & climate, and environmental social justice in mining. Check out our website and email us to learn more.
Wildcat Moon Miners
The Wildcat Moon Miners are dedicated to research and participation in activities related to space mining projects that establish human settlements for mining operations on the moon, mars, the Asteroid Belt, and beyond. The group, housed in the Department of Mining & Geological Engineering and the Robotics and Automation Laboratory, participates in space mining competitions such as NASA’s “Break-the-Ice Lunar Challenge”. The club is open to undergraduate and graduate students who wish to expand their knowledge of lunar and planetary geology, astronomy, robotics, equipment & software design for remote operations, 3D printing, geographic information systems, and more. Students who would like to participate in conferences, competitions, poster elaboration, article writing, and collaborating in the preparation of peer-reviewed papers are encouraged to join. All majors welcome! Check out our website and email us to learn more.
Women in Mining Arizona
The Women in Mining Student Chapter strives to build a diverse and inclusive community that helps promote mining as an equitable and sustainable industry. WIM also focuses on providing a space for students to grow in their internal development, preparing them for their professional career. WIM hopes to empower individuals to succeed and advance in their career aspirations by providing them with a space where they can build connections, speak about relevant issues, and work on their internal development to prepare for the industry. All majors are welcome to get involved in officer positions and as members. Follow us on Instagram and email us to learn more.