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Jack HaddadMining Engineering
“It gave me confidence the resources industry is backing graduates” |
In his final year at Rostrevor College, Jack Haddad was deciding whether to study civil or mining engineering at university. Having completed specialist and methods maths, geography, accounting, physics, religion and psychology in Years 11 and 12, his well-rounded education pathway meant both subjects were viable study options. Two factors swayed his decision: his love of a challenge and learning about the Playford Trust scholarship.
“My school careers counsellor emailed me about the scholarship, which I think cemented my decision about studying mining engineering: not only because it offered financial help but it gave me confidence the resources industry is backing graduates,” the 18-year-old says. “I didn’t know a lot about the mining industry and was interested to challenge myself to learn something new.”
Now in the first year of his degree, Haddad is thriving off the challenges of his studies, which to date have covered environmental aspects, mining engineering and infrastructure. “Mining engineering is super interesting, learning more of the specifics and the general gist,” he says. “I also enjoy the introduction to infrastructure – it ties a lot of the mathematics and physical studies into a real-world application.”
This summer, Haddad will have the opportunity to experience that real world for himself with a six-week internship at BHP. “It will stand me in good stead because it will give me an idea of which part of mining interests me the most,” he says. “It’s a wonderful opportunity and I’m looking forward to it.”
With the financial support of the scholarship behind him, the West Coast Eagles fan and videogamer can focus on his studies and hobbies while saving to pay off his university fees upon graduation. “It’s been a great support because I have that sense of security – rather than having to save money from my part-time job, I can enjoy it while still saving money through the scholarship,” he says.
“My school careers counsellor emailed me about the scholarship, which I think cemented my decision about studying mining engineering: not only because it offered financial help but it gave me confidence the resources industry is backing graduates,” the 18-year-old says. “I didn’t know a lot about the mining industry and was interested to challenge myself to learn something new.”
Now in the first year of his degree, Haddad is thriving off the challenges of his studies, which to date have covered environmental aspects, mining engineering and infrastructure. “Mining engineering is super interesting, learning more of the specifics and the general gist,” he says. “I also enjoy the introduction to infrastructure – it ties a lot of the mathematics and physical studies into a real-world application.”
This summer, Haddad will have the opportunity to experience that real world for himself with a six-week internship at BHP. “It will stand me in good stead because it will give me an idea of which part of mining interests me the most,” he says. “It’s a wonderful opportunity and I’m looking forward to it.”
With the financial support of the scholarship behind him, the West Coast Eagles fan and videogamer can focus on his studies and hobbies while saving to pay off his university fees upon graduation. “It’s been a great support because I have that sense of security – rather than having to save money from my part-time job, I can enjoy it while still saving money through the scholarship,” he says.