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Melanie Gordon

A picture of Melanie Gordon

Name:
Melanie Gordon
Age:
27
Location:
Goonyella Riverside Mine, Moranbah
Current job title:
Senior Mechanical Engineer - Major Projects, BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA)

Qualifications

Past experience

I have worked in the mining industry for seven years. Since completing my mechanical engineering degree I have worked as a risk management professional, safety professional, mechanical engineer and now a project manager. I have worked in Australia and internationally for several employers and I am now studying a Masters of Project Management.

How did you get started?

I started studying mechanical engineering at the University of Queensland in Brisbane in 1997. I chose to study engineering because I was looking for a field where I could study science and maths which were my favourite subjects at school but also wanted to do a degree where I came out of it with a qualification which allowed me to walk straight into a well paid job. I specifically chose mechanical engineering because I think it is the most versatile degree in that I could work just about anywhere in the world in design or manufacturing, construction or consulting, project management or become an academic.

Greatest professional achievement

I was the recipient of an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Queensland Resources Council in 2006. I received this award for my work as an engineer, contribution to my local community and providing a female role model to women and girls.

Challenges the job presents

My role involves a wide variety of tasks and I am constantly facing new challenges and developing my skills as a project manager, engineer and supervisor. The biggest challenge is time management and prioritising. There is an endless supply of work to be done and projects to tackle so being able to select what to work on and fit everything that I want to do into the time available is a challenge.

What you like most about your job

The opportunity to develop a broader skill set through the variety of different challenges that are part of my job.

Typical day at work

I lead a small team of engineers whose primary focus is managing major maintenance projects, typically dragline and shovel shutdowns. There is no typical day at work for me, every day is different and my plans can change from hour to hour. Tasks that I am required to complete include managing engineering projects, assisting with problems identified in the workplace, managing contractors and consultants, providing presentations to site personnel, investigating safety problems, reviewing and approving engineering designs, scheduling, facilitating risk assessments, managing budgets, writing specifications and writing submissions for project approvals ... Just to name a few! I spend a significant amount of time in the field and working one on one with people.

Advice for other women

If you have any interest in working in the resources industry then give it a go. Ask heaps of questions, listen to the advice that you're given and try everything at least once. Nobody expects you to be an expert straight away and we all have to start somewhere. Certainly don't ever think that females don't belong in the resources industry because I know many amazing women who have achieved amazing things and there are so many opportunities for women out there.

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Last updated: 8 April 2008