Final year Griffith University Mechanical Engineering student, Analeigh Angus will embark on stage one of her professional mining career, after securing a coveted role with mining company, Rio Tinto.

A highly successful three-month tenure with Rio Tinto to fulfil course requirements of her Industry Affiliates Program (IAP) was more than enough time for the 21-year-old to mark herself as a genuine asset.

The 2013 Sarina State High School graduate is viewed by the company in the highest regard, with her ability to analyse, interpret and advise on complex, operational procedures seen as a defining characteristic.

“Analeigh epitomises the attributes desired by our company. She has a good technical background, a lot of drive, a lot of initiative, boasts very good personal skills, good communication skills and fits in really well within the work environment,” said Ivan Heron from Rio Tinto’s IAP program.

“Analeigh tries really hard with every task she’s been presented with and strives to do the best she can, so she was a great asset for us during her IAP internship.

“The project she undertook at our Emerald plant was quite a high value activity for us, relating to a long-standing issue in our business; she’s come up with a solution, an outcome for us of an improved design which should help our business.

“For us what was important was the synergy between Analeigh’s academic objectives and some of our business objectives, so it was good to find a project which addressed both.”

Kestrel Mine. Rio Tinto Coal Australia. Stacker Reclaimers working on Raw coal stockpile.

Analeigh attributes her IAP project, along with the care and attention taken by Griffith University to ensure the smoothest of transitions from high school into tertiary studies, as pivotal to her overall successes.

“Getting involved in industry is such a valuable experience to assist with future job prospects and obviously being partnered with such a reputable mining organisation such as Rio Tinto has helped immensely,” confirmed Analeigh.

“I was positioned on-site in Emerald so I had the chance to look around the plant and gain invaluable experience.

“Being from Mackay I had to move away from family, friends and my partner to go to university, but it’s such a great opportunity for you to grow, to better understand who you are as a person; your strengths and your weaknesses; and how you can build upon yourself to become a great professional in whatever field you choose.

“Griffith University offers a lot of opportunities, especially for people from small rural areas which really make you feel at home.

“You’re able to gain access to facilities and support services offered by the university and while it is a lot of hard work and requires a lot of determination; it really comes down to yourself and your own motivation.”

Mackay school leavers will have an opportunity to discuss what it takes to achieve similar successes as Analeigh when Griffith University hosts ‘Future-proof your career, The Griffith STEM Roadshow’ at the Entertainment and Convention Centre on Thursday 17 August.

To complement employment trends forecast by Australia’s Chief Scientist that 70% of jobs in the future will require employees to have related skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Griffith University’s Sciences faculty is unveiling a unique suite of double degrees to enhance the employability prospects of its graduates.

Among eight new degree programs being offered, are a world and Australian first Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/ Bachelor of Aviation combination, a complementary Bachelor of Environmental Sciences/ Bachelor of Business degree, plus an exciting initiative which explores the practical implications of drones in the newly created Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), majoring in Electronics and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles engineering degree.

‘Future-proof your career, The Griffith STEM Roadshow’ is a free event running from 5pm and people must pre-register online at https://www.griffith.edu.au/griffith-sciences/outreach/sciences-roadshow

New undergraduate degree programs at Griffith Sciences in 2018

Bachelor of Computer Science
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), majoring in Electronics and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles engineering
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), majoring in Civil and Architectural engineering
Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Electronic and Computer Engineering

New undergraduate double degrees

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/ Bachelor of Computer Science
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) majoring in Mechanical Engineering/ Bachelor of Industrial Design
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/ Bachelor of Aviation
Bachelor of Environmental Sciences/ Bachelor of Business