To state the obvious, co-operative education plays a huge role in the engineering experience at the University of Waterloo. Every single one of us who graduates in engineering from this University must obtain five co-op credits for four-month work terms. This structure guarantees that each and every one of us gets to experience and learn from a workplace environment. In a new column entitled ‘Crazy Co-ops,’ The Iron Warrior is going to feature some of the more exotic and unique co-op terms experienced by current undergrads in engineering at UW.
This week we will profile Rebecca Cameron and her experiences working at a diamond mine in the Northwest Territories. Rebecca worked at the Diavik Diamond Mine which is located 300 km northeast of Yellowknife on a 20 km2 island. Surrounded by very little wildlife or vegetation, the mine is isolated by arctic tundra and is accessible only by an ice road. To say the least, it is very remote. However, the mine produces approximately 90 million dollars of diamonds per year.
Rebecca worked for EBA Engineering, a large consulting firm based out of Edmonton, Alberta, acting as a subcontractor for Diavik. She, along with a couple other co-op students, was responsible for performing a variety of Quality Assurance work dealing with concrete and soil testing. However, working in the mining industry, especially in a place as remote as the Diavik mine, is very different than being employed in a regular workplace. Rebecca worked for three weeks straight, pulling in over eighty-four hours each of these weeks. Over forty of these hours were considered overtime, resulting in a very lucrative three weeks of work. After the three weeks were completed and her shift was finished, she was given one week off in which she was flown back to Edmonton.
Despite the awesome pay, the job came with some obvious downsides, according to Rebecca. The long time away from home and the ridiculous hours were very tiring. Also, completing a professional development course with a terrible satellite internet connection after working twelve hours per day was a huge downside. The mining industry is also still very male dominated, and the awkward stares were never-ending. Finally, even though Rebecca was employed at Diavik during the spring term, the weather was very cold and unpleasant, and only July and August were free of snow.
However, Rebecca maintains the experience was a good one. The cold weather and creepy stares were offset by a 70% discount on diamonds and great buffet food at the mine cafeteria. If you’re looking to get into mining, keep in mind the long hours and remote locations but be assured you will come away with a unique and gratifying experience.
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This is super helpful, as a female engineering student from UVic who is interested in a lucrative co-op. Thanks!