Grit—the blend of passion and perseverance—is essential for anyone starting their career.
It helps young professionals stay focused through challenges, bounce back from setbacks, and keep pushing toward long-term goals, even when the path gets tough. In industries like engineering and mining, where learning curves can be steep, grit can make all the difference.
Something else that makes a huge difference? Finding the right employer.
Grace Loh, a Graduate Mechanical Engineer with Mineral Resources, has already demonstrated plenty of grit in her career. Joining what has traditionally been viewed as a tough and male-dominated industry like mining can seem daunting for anyone, let alone a young woman embarking on her first steps as an engineer.
But Grace shares that the reality will surprise many.
From tentative first steps to a fully supportive team environment
Mining graduate programs offer emerging engineers invaluable opportunities to gain practical experience in a dynamic industry. They’re an excellent bridge between academic studies to real-world work environments, but they can still be viewed as intimidating for some. Grace admits that even though she was nervous at first, she quickly found there was nothing to be worried about.
Reflecting on her journey so far, Grace highlights the supportive environment she’s found at Mineral Resources and how she’s proactively encouraged to get involved and take on new challenges to grow as a professional:
“I was a little nervous at first, but I saw it as a great opportunity to challenge myself and grow! From prior engineering work experience, I knew I had the passion and drive to succeed, even if I didn’t have all the experience yet. Hence, I was quite excited to apply and take a further step in building my career.”
Mineral Resources’ graduate program is designed to support graduates’ success through diverse experiences and continuous development. Grace explains how she’s already been able to work with different teams and explore different areas of the business:
“What excites me most as a graduate mechanical engineer is the exposure to different teams working on various engineering projects that solve real-world problems, and seeing ideas turn into rewarding, tangible results. Working in a team, I enjoy learning from experts and contributing to improving machinery design that directly impacts mining operation productivity and safety with practical solutions that leverage engineering principles and design tools.”
The comprehensive program is designed to set participants up for success by providing opportunities to join high-performing teams, work on significant projects, and gain invaluable experience.
Graduates receive continuous on-the-job training and development, supported by mentoring, workshops, and training sessions. Eligibility criteria include being in the final study year or having graduated within the past two years from a recognised university, holding Australian or New Zealand citizenship or full working rights, and being prepared to work in various locations.
With their inclusive policies and benefits, Mineral Resources’ graduate opportunities are a cut above the rest.
Compare their complete company profile and apply for opportunities now
The importance of inclusion for early career professionals
Grace shares that the initial application process to join Mineral Resources was smooth and gave her good early insights into what would be involved and expectations of her as a new graduate employee.
“The application process of the MinRes graduate program was really smooth and supportive, from interview to onboarding, which gave me great confidence right from the start. After starting the graduate program, the program structure, graduate support and the welcoming team environment made it clear I was in the right place. I felt like I was being set up for real growth, and that reassurance made me confident that I had made the right choice.”
The welcoming culture at Mineral Resources is no accident. The company has made deliberate, strategic moves to ensure its workplaces are inclusive, diverse, and set up for all employees to succeed, especially in industries where women have historically been underrepresented.
Grace highlights how important this inclusive environment has been to her early career:
“I recognise that our company promotes diversity through policies, gender equity strategies, and WORK180 endorsement. It hosts networking events, conducts pay equality audits, and fosters inclusive leadership as well as partnerships with industry groups that support mentoring and education.”
By creating an environment where diverse voices are valued and supported, Mineral Resources is ensuring that talented individuals like Grace can step into their careers confidently and fully contribute to the company’s success.
As Grace puts it:
“I believe inclusion isn’t a zero-sum game and isn’t about taking opportunities away from any gender. It is all about expanding the pie so everyone benefits by ensuring that anyone with talent and merit, regardless of gender, has a chance to contribute meaningfully. For me, it is also about creating equity rather than equality in a workplace, to address the unconscious bias that persists in workplaces and above all, data have shown that gender-balanced teams make better decisions, drive innovation, and enhance outcomes.”
Courage, grit, and advice for others who want to follow in her steps
Grace’s journey so far shows what’s possible when courage and opportunity meet. Her advice for other young women considering a career in mining or engineering is simple but powerful:
“Don’t let stereotypes hold you back, the mining industry has a place for you and your unique perspective. Trust in your abilities to step out of your comfort zone, believe in yourself and look for any company that supports your growth. You belong here and are more than capable of making a real difference.”
Reflecting on the qualities that have helped her succeed, Grace shares:
“Courage resonates most strongly with me as it entails embracing change or calculated risks, challenging the status quo, being accountable, and especially being needed when overcoming setbacks. Being courageous also means I must be ready to embrace discomfort, to push boundaries, face my fears and expand comfort zones, all of which will help me unlock opportunities for growth.”
Grace’s story is a perfect example of how grit, courage, and the right support can help young professionals not just find their feet but also thrive and make a lasting impact.
