Thiess graduate builds expertise in the field

Meet Dylan, a graduate engineer in our Technical Services team gaining hands-on experience at a lithium mine in Western Australia. 

Dylan studied a Bachelor of Mining Engineering, graduating with Honours, from Curtin University’s School of Mines in Kalgoorlie.  

After gaining valuable work experience with Thiess during his studies, he was awarded our scholarship program. Now, he’s taking his career to the next level, gaining on-the-job training through the Thiess Graduate Program. 

“As a Thiess Graduate Mining Engineer, I’m working with the technical services team at Mt Holland, an open-cut lithium mine in Western Australia,” Dylan said. 

“I really enjoy fly-in-fly-out work. My favourite part is seeing the site firsthand and working with a tight knit team.”  

In his role, Dylan is responsible for a range of tasks related to mining operations, including site assessments, designing and implementing mining plans, monitoring production levels and collaborating with various stakeholders. 

“In the morning I go over the past 24 hours’ production, safety and maintenance updates with the client and during the day I plan the next 24 hours of production and cover any design work that comes in,” he said.  

“Coming into the program, I didn’t think I would get so much responsibility. I feel like I’m really contributing to the team and doing meaningful work. 

“At university there isn’t a lot of experience on site unless you do work experience, so the graduate program is great as it eases you into mine life and gives you the opportunity to experience different aspects of mining, rather than just the one role. 

“Working with a mining services provider gives me so many future career pathways and different challenges. You need to work with the client’s team as well, so you learn all about how to maintain productive relationships, and I’m enjoying that aspect too.” 

As for the future Dylan is leaning toward a career as drill and blast or as long-term planning engineer. But for now, he’s focused on gaining as much knowledge as he can in the program.  

Learn more about work-experience, sponsorship and graduate program opportunities with Thiess on our website. You can also register your interest for future programs at https://thiess.com/careers/graduates-and-students.