How Breanna engineered a dream career

"I'm one of those lucky people who loves their job so much it doesn’t feel like work. Mining is not just a job, it's part of me."

We think this is a great summary for Breanna Cameron.

"Originally I wanted to be a pilot, but when I started in my first FIFO role, I absolutely fell in love with mining," she says.

Breanna had a thirst for knowledge and wanted to soak up everything she could about the industry.

By just 24, she had worked her way up through the operator ranks as far as she could go.

Her options for further growth were drying up. She needed a plan.

Breanna wanted to progress into leadership, building an alternative skill set.

This led to the decision to study engineering, a move she believed would 'unlock the rest of her life.'

Supercharging her career

As a high school student, Breanna's favourite STEM subject was maths.

She enjoyed helping her friends out when they were stuck too, a trait she has carried into her career.

Breanna left her full-time mining role to study engineering at Edith Cowan University.

She had no idea just how much this would supercharge her career.

"I thought the degree would complement the work I was already doing but it created more than just work opportunities," she says.

"It provided access to long-term career pathways and positioned me to have wider industry impact."

This included many extra-curricular offerings she was able to take advantage of – from a study exchange to China, to work experience placements at mining and construction companies.

"I gained a skill set that I'll use for the rest of my life," she says.

Graduating to the big time

Thanks to her work experience and academic achievements, Breanna got a job post-graduation with mining giant BHP.

She started as an underground mining engineer at their West Australian nickel mine, but quickly found herself fast-tracked to manager and production superintendent.

Along the way, she's found time to start her own business, JUDDRILL, a mining services company specialising in drill and blast plus minor plant hire.

"It was built from a desire to provide people with a workplace filled with positivity and a sense of community," she says.

Breanna has achieved much in a relatively short time.

She was the youngest ever female excavator operator in WA, BHP's first female underground mine manager in WA, and is now a company director of her own mining contractor services company.

All before the age of 34!

Here's one final piece of advice from Breanna for not only aspiring engineers, but for any career.

"Say yes to every opportunity and be prepared to always step outside your comfort zone. Understand that when you're uncomfortable or when you’re challenged, that's a positive thing. It's when growth can occur."