Tate ParsonsMining Engineering
“I know exactly what I am getting into and understand that working in mining will sometimes mean working in remote areas, away from friends and families, in weird locations and often working in tough weather conditions. But that’s what I also love about it.” Mining has always been a big part of Tate Parson’s life. As a baby Tate moved to Whyalla with his family while his dad, Simon, worked at OneSteel. After a couple of years in Whyalla and a short stint in Queensland, the family moved back Adelaide while Simon continued to do FIFO work in in Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales. “I was exposed to the mining sector from a fairly young age. I grew up around mine sites and remember visiting Dad at work and watching the big trucks and diggers which was a pretty cool experience as a young kid,” Tate recalls. |
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While his dad did FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) work, Tate threw himself into sport and schoolwork. He enjoyed keeping active and put his hand up for various school sports including football, soccer, and swimming.
He also caught the travel bug early on, enjoying family trips to China, Singapore, and Thailand.
“I went to St Michael’s College from Years 8 to 10 and was fortunate enough to be offered a trip to France where I visited the birthplace of the school founder and saw the battlefields from the 1st World War,” Tate shares.
“I actually flew into Paris over Notre Dame while it was burning which was a pretty surreal experience.”
Back home, Tate finished his senior high school years at Eynesbury College, where he completed a VET Fitness Course in Year 11 and studied Modern History, English, Math Methods, and Physics in Year 12.
“I really enjoyed Eynesbury – it was a close-knit school and taught me how to be independent and master my time management skills.”
After completing Year 12, Tate knew he wanted to do Mining Engineering but decided to take a gap year first and worked with his dad at Alkane Resources, giving him hands-on experience in the industry.
“I had been working at the mine from the end of Year 10, picking up work during the holidays. I started off doing simple jobs in the core shed and sampling underground but as I have got more experienced, I have been doing more complicated tasks, eventually progressing to working on the open cut mine during my gap year,” Tate says.
“I enjoyed having a break and getting practical experience on an actual mine site before going to Uni.”
After almost 18 months away from study, Tate commenced a Bachelor of Engineering (Engineering Pathways ) with the intent to transfer to a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) at the University of Adelaide in early 2023.
“As I didn’t do Specialised Maths in Year 12, I completed the pathway program to transfer into Mining Engineering. It’s been a bit of an adjustment coming off the gap year, but it’s been great meeting new people and getting into the swing of study again.”
While enrolling into the course, Tate stumbled across an email about the Playford Trust Scholarships from the University of Adelaide.
“It was by luck really that I saw the email, but I am grateful I did. To apply for the scholarship program, you need to provide academic references which proved a bit tricky given Eynesbury College doesn’t exist anymore, but I was able to provide other references to be considered,” Tate says.
He also caught the travel bug early on, enjoying family trips to China, Singapore, and Thailand.
“I went to St Michael’s College from Years 8 to 10 and was fortunate enough to be offered a trip to France where I visited the birthplace of the school founder and saw the battlefields from the 1st World War,” Tate shares.
“I actually flew into Paris over Notre Dame while it was burning which was a pretty surreal experience.”
Back home, Tate finished his senior high school years at Eynesbury College, where he completed a VET Fitness Course in Year 11 and studied Modern History, English, Math Methods, and Physics in Year 12.
“I really enjoyed Eynesbury – it was a close-knit school and taught me how to be independent and master my time management skills.”
After completing Year 12, Tate knew he wanted to do Mining Engineering but decided to take a gap year first and worked with his dad at Alkane Resources, giving him hands-on experience in the industry.
“I had been working at the mine from the end of Year 10, picking up work during the holidays. I started off doing simple jobs in the core shed and sampling underground but as I have got more experienced, I have been doing more complicated tasks, eventually progressing to working on the open cut mine during my gap year,” Tate says.
“I enjoyed having a break and getting practical experience on an actual mine site before going to Uni.”
After almost 18 months away from study, Tate commenced a Bachelor of Engineering (Engineering Pathways ) with the intent to transfer to a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) at the University of Adelaide in early 2023.
“As I didn’t do Specialised Maths in Year 12, I completed the pathway program to transfer into Mining Engineering. It’s been a bit of an adjustment coming off the gap year, but it’s been great meeting new people and getting into the swing of study again.”
While enrolling into the course, Tate stumbled across an email about the Playford Trust Scholarships from the University of Adelaide.
“It was by luck really that I saw the email, but I am grateful I did. To apply for the scholarship program, you need to provide academic references which proved a bit tricky given Eynesbury College doesn’t exist anymore, but I was able to provide other references to be considered,” Tate says.
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“It was a huge weight off my shoulders when I found out I had been successful. The scholarship allows me to focus on my studies and not have to worry so much about money and taking on a big HECS debt.”
Post studies, Tate has no illusions about what life working in the mines entails. “I know exactly what I am getting into and understand that working in mining will sometimes mean working in remote areas, away from friends and families, in weird locations and often working in tough weather conditions. But that’s what I also love about it.” “I want to get as much practical experience as possible and keen to explore both operational and technical roles. Mum says I am pretty good at delegating too so I might end up in a management role one day,” he says with a laugh. “One thing is for certain - I definitely want to work overseas at some point, travel the world and see where a career in mining takes me.” |