Coal mining
isn't what it used to be. Once a job for underpaid, uneducated and unskilled manual laborers, the job now is only for the well trained. The technological advances in coal mining have been dramatic. Today, miners must be highly skilled in the use of such equipment and, in many cases, need to be degreed.
Instructions
1. Find out if this is truly the occupation for you. Research the average wage, benefits and working conditions. Regardless of technological advances, this is still a highly dangerous occupation in grueling working conditions. It is a large investment in money, time and training for this career only to find that you are not cut out for it.
2. Visit a mining town and talk to miners' families. Interview miners themselves. Find out why they do it. Learn what is so rewarding about such a thankless occupation that they continue to do it.
3. Contact the National Mining Association. Find out where the need will be in the near future when you are ready to enter the workforce as a miner. Learn about the latest trends, technology and economic outlook of the profession. This association is a good resource to to learn where to get your education and training.
4. Enroll in a 4-year university if you are interested in any entry-level mining and geological engineering position. A bachelor's degree is required. The degree focus might be coal or gold or other mineral mining specialties; mine design; mine safety or environmental safety specialties.
5. Consider other types of occupations within the coal mining industry. If you find that you do not have the stomach for the dangers of actually working down in the mines, there are other opportunities within the industry. A large percentage of people employed in the mining industry are actually in a consultancy role offering differing types of support for the mines.
6. Contact mining companies, express interest and submit your resume. Once you have completed your educational requirements, it is time to start pushing your resume. If you have completed the suggested research before entering school, you will have an impressive network already started in the industry and have quite a head start on the competition graduating with you.
Tags: coal mining, find that, have completed, mining industry, technological advances, working conditions
