Hey everybody,

As I quickly approach the ten day mark at my internship at Macmahon Mining, it’s clear to me how time flies when you’re having fun! – Or being kept very busy for that fact. There definitely hasn’t been a dull moment since I started here, everyday goes extremely fast with what seems like never ending tasks. For example, prior to me starting this internship Macmahon did not have an Instagram account, only Facebook and Linked In. After discussing wanting to connect with a younger audience for particular recruitment objectives I was trusted enough to start one for them and it is now up and running. This has been extremely interesting in terms of social media monitoring and content creation, as my manager made it extremely clear that she did not want to post anything just for the sake of it and is more focused on engagement. If anybody is interested, feel free to check it out at https://www.instagram.com/macmahonmining/?hl=en. It has definitely been an experience making mining sound exciting from somebody who had no prior experience in this field.

As for the work culture, it is very exciting! It has been a pleasure to meet such a diverse range of people whom I otherwise would not have met. Everybody has respect for you and displays an interest in what you are doing – despite my “just an intern” mentality which I have also read about on these blogs. With events occurring regularly, people coming and going and being able to meet Soa “The Hulk” Palelei – Macmahon’s mental health ambassador. It is great to see a mining company be so involved in their FIFO and non FIFO workers and not only their physical health, but mental as well. I have previously done research assignments on mental health and FIFO and it is wonderful to be in an environment leading the way in terms of these CSR issues. Although Macmahon are not the largest mining company in WA, they definitely have left a massive impact on me and how I perceive work culture to be.

I have had a very close working relationship with the communications manager Keryn Cook, who has 30 years industry experience and has worked at PR firms as well as doing in house work. I definitely respect her a lot as she has helped me to assess my strengths and weaknesses professionally as I was previously unable to do. She also was kind enough to recommend me a work mentor who I have been lucky enough to become acquainted with and join in going to different events. I would suggest this to anybody who is considering it, as it is unbelievably handy to have someone to ask the less formal work questions and help getting you started in the industry. I have unquestionably learned so much from my time here – not just how to reverse park (in the reverse parking only staff carpark – mining things!) however also how to communicate effectively and efficiently in a work environment.

Thanks for reading! 🙂

Louise