For many professionals, a career in mining can be lucrative, dynamic and full of opportunity. It’s often seen as the domain of engineers, geologists and tradespeople.
But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find professionals from all kinds of backgrounds and walks of life who’ve managed to build successful, engaging careers.
Masi Mapiye, Specialist: Energy and Decarbonisation, for global gold mining company, AngloGold Ashanti, spoke with us to shed some light.
“Interestingly, I built my career in forensics and spent ten years in the industry, before transitioning to mining and energy. Looking back, my path might seem unconventional, but every step I took was a vital building block for the next, driven by curiosity, resilience, and a passion for meaningful work.”
If you’re interested in changing direction or entering the mining field, you don’t need to come from a traditional background to get your start. Masi shares the steps she took and shows there’s more than one way to make a successful career change.
Step 1: Follow your passions and interests
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology and Biomedical Science, minoring in Applied Statistics, Masi landed a role in forensics.
“I’ve always been fascinated by true crime shows (still am!), and the opportunity to work in such an industry was one I never took for granted. Over ten years, I built my career in the industry, from Laboratory Assistant to a Forensic Scientist.
“The work was technical, meticulous, and deeply meaningful. But after a decade in the field, I began to crave a new challenge.”
Her goal was to develop her skills and enter a new territory, with a change of scenery.
“I decided to formalise my interest in data by completing a Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics and Visualisation. This helped me achieve a new opportunity with an organisation in the energy industry as a data analyst. This was my first step into a brand new sector.”
Step 2: Embrace change, build connections
Masi was introduced to the wider energy community through Women in Energy (WIE) events in Perth. Attending these gatherings exposed her to the breadth of roles and opportunities across the sector and allowed her to connect with people who left a lasting impression.
“It’s such a dynamic sector that plays a critical role in shaping the future. The people I met within it made a lasting impression. It made me realise that wherever my career went, it would stay rooted in energy.”
She was proud to join the WIE Perth Committee, first in a subcommittee role, then as Secretary (a position she retains to date!).
“My greatest highlight of being part of the WIE network was receiving the opportunity to co-host an event highlighting inspiring women, where the guest speaker was Kate Chaney, Federal Independent Member for Curtin. Experiences like these have expanded my network and strengthened my commitment to the energy space.”
From these experiences, something interesting followed: an opportunity with AngloGold Ashanti as an Energy and Decarbonisation Analyst.
“It wasn’t your typical analyst position – and that’s exactly what drew me to it. The chance to be part of a reputable mining company added layers of complexity, piqued my curiosity and motivated me with the potential to have an impact.”
Despite her limited experience in energy and lacking a background in mining, she applied anyway, with a mindset of giving it her all.
“I had nothing to lose. If anything, it was an opportunity to learn that I couldn’t pass up.”
Find out more about how AngloGold Ashanti supports career development and flexibility.
Step 3: Take a chance
When Masi was offered the role, she was overjoyed and ready to embrace the challenge.
“Eighteen months in, the learning curve has been steep, but the growth has been extraordinary! My hiring manager took a chance on me, and she’s been a great mentor ever since. I’ve gained a deep appreciation for how energy, sustainability, and operational strategy intersect, and how meaningful it is to contribute to decarbonisation efforts in such a vital sector.”
Her favourite part of her role is gaining a broader perspective on the critical role energy plays in mining.
“It plays such a huge role in planning, cross-functional collaboration, procurement, delivery, and ongoing monitoring of energy use on site. I also love the challenge of integrating renewable energy and advancing decarbonisation initiatives in a way that maintains the stability and reliability of existing power systems.”
The flexibility she receives with the company is an added bonus.
“You might think achieving flexibility in the industry is difficult, especially if you have young children. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the flexible work arrangements available, which genuinely support work–life balance and make it possible to thrive both professionally and personally.”
Step 4: Develop the skills that set you apart
If you’re motivated to make a career change, it can be easy to overlook the strengths you already bring to the table – but often , they can be your biggest asset.
Strong communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and the ability to work under pressure are all skills Masi has found useful and worth developing in many different industries.
“I’ve developed these skills throughout my career, and they’re valuable to this day. Another is the ability to build strong relationships, with both internal teams and external stakeholders. These connections have helped me better understand technical and practical processes, while also providing a valuable network I can learn from and draw insights.”
Step 5: Stay curious and keep learning
With AngloGold Ashanti, Masi has experienced a number of pathways to follow her curiosity and grow her knowledge.
“I received a regional induction that gave me a broad overview of the company’s values, structure, and operations. I also had the opportunity to visit our Sunrise Dam and Tropicana mining operations in Western Australia, which offered valuable, first-hand insight into what it means to operate in remote mining locations.”
The company has also supported her ongoing learning and development.
“I recently attended a Gold Processing for Non-Metallurgists course, which helped me better understand the technical side of our operations. This is just one example of how AngloGold Ashanti supports professional development.”
Career growth doesn’t always follow a straight line
Masi’s non-traditional career pathway proves you don’t need to fit the mold to build a meaningful career in mining and energy. If you have curiosity, courage, and the right support, it’s possible to embrace change and thrive in an entirely new industry.
“If you’re thinking about a change, follow your interests. Don’t be afraid to take a chance on something new. You might find taking a big leap can lead to the most rewarding outcomes.”
