Success Stories

When Greatness Ojum was in her first year of mining engineering studies, she met Julia Potter, co-director of the Geotechnical Center of Excellence and vice president of Women in Mining USA. Potter told her about an opportunity to launch a University of Arizona student chapter of the organization, which has supported an equitable and sustainable mining industry since 1972.

The School of Mining and Mineral Resources at the University of Arizona provides students with valuable internship opportunities to gain practical experience and explore career paths. From on-site roles at mining companies like Freeport-McMoRan to consulting positions at firms like WSP, internships help students like Nicholas Tillotson and Biraj Lama clarify their career goals. Applying early, seeking resume feedback, and applying to multiple positions are key to securing internships. Once selected, interns benefit from technical skill development and exposure to company culture. With resources like Handshake and the Mining & Geological Engineering job board, UArizona students have support in securing internships and jobs in the mining industry.

David Killick, a Professor of Anthropology and Adjunct Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Arizona, was inspired by prehistoric metallurgy during his undergraduate studies. Born in Malawi, he pursued geology, history, and archaeology in South Africa and later earned a PhD in Anthropology from Yale. Killick has taught interdisciplinary courses in anthropology, materials science, and Africana studies since joining the University of Arizona in 1991. His research spans early African metallurgy and global materials origins, emphasizing collaboration across departments. As he nears retirement in 2023, Killick encourages students to explore the history of materials and its relevance to modern mining practices.