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Ashra HarkinMining Engineering
“I came to the decision to go into mining so that I can play a key role in looking after the environment” |
A passion for lowering carbon emissions and achieving a carbon neutral future is what led Ashra Harkin to study Mining Engineering at the University of Adelaide.
“I was tossing up between Civil Engineering and Mining Engineering in high school and I came to the decision to go into mining so that I can play a key role in looking after the environment,” Ashra recalls.
“Copper, for example, is crucial for things like renewable energy systems and electric vehicles, so I knew early on that I wanted to work in the industry and be a part of the solution to reduce emissions and take better care of the environment.”
Born in Mount Gambier, Ashra moved to Adelaide with her family at the age of 7 and grew up with a love of cooking, baking, reading, and playing video games.
She attended Unley High School and studied physics, maths, cooking, nutrition, and English in Years 11 and 12.
“My favourite subject has always been maths, followed closely by cooking. I love being in the kitchen, it’s my creative outlet. I cook a mean Mexican beef,” she says with a laugh.
It was at a seminar hosted by the University of Adelaide where Ashra found out about the Playford Trust. She got speaking to a few engineers from OZ Minerals and knew instantly it was a field she wanted to work in.
“I did some research online to see if I met the conditions for the Playford Trust Scholarships and I did, so I applied and the rest is history,” she says.
Ashra received an email alerting her that she had secured a scholarship, instantly taking the financial stress off and allowing her to focus on her studies.
Her advice to anyone considering studying Mining Engineering and applying for a Playford Trust scholarship?
“Do it! The Playford Scholarship is a huge financial help and lets me focus more on uni, rather than having to work extra hours to get by,” she says.
“University is very different to high school, and it can take a little bit to adjust to. You need to stay focused, so you don’t lose track or fall behind but it’s really interesting and rewarding. Definitely take any opportunity you are given.”
“I was tossing up between Civil Engineering and Mining Engineering in high school and I came to the decision to go into mining so that I can play a key role in looking after the environment,” Ashra recalls.
“Copper, for example, is crucial for things like renewable energy systems and electric vehicles, so I knew early on that I wanted to work in the industry and be a part of the solution to reduce emissions and take better care of the environment.”
Born in Mount Gambier, Ashra moved to Adelaide with her family at the age of 7 and grew up with a love of cooking, baking, reading, and playing video games.
She attended Unley High School and studied physics, maths, cooking, nutrition, and English in Years 11 and 12.
“My favourite subject has always been maths, followed closely by cooking. I love being in the kitchen, it’s my creative outlet. I cook a mean Mexican beef,” she says with a laugh.
It was at a seminar hosted by the University of Adelaide where Ashra found out about the Playford Trust. She got speaking to a few engineers from OZ Minerals and knew instantly it was a field she wanted to work in.
“I did some research online to see if I met the conditions for the Playford Trust Scholarships and I did, so I applied and the rest is history,” she says.
Ashra received an email alerting her that she had secured a scholarship, instantly taking the financial stress off and allowing her to focus on her studies.
Her advice to anyone considering studying Mining Engineering and applying for a Playford Trust scholarship?
“Do it! The Playford Scholarship is a huge financial help and lets me focus more on uni, rather than having to work extra hours to get by,” she says.
“University is very different to high school, and it can take a little bit to adjust to. You need to stay focused, so you don’t lose track or fall behind but it’s really interesting and rewarding. Definitely take any opportunity you are given.”