Close your eyes, and think back to the age of 15-20 or so. Thinking about colleges, where you wanted to go, and choosing a career that you potentially could be stuck in for the rest of your life. It's a big decision, so why mining/geology?
Almost everyone in the industry agrees - we need to change the perception of mining, or we need to get more enrollment in our schools. But what are we REALLY doing about it?
Discussing “hot” topics like critical minerals and renewable energy likely won’t fix this core issue. To understand why people enter these fields, I asked on LinkedIn what drew them to mining or geology.
Here are the top 5 common motivations based on their responses:
Childhood Fascination with Earth Sciences
Many respondents mentioned a lifelong interest in rocks, fossils, minerals, and earth processes. This early captivation with the physical world and its mysteries led them to eventually pursue geology or mining careers. For them, it was a calling that began in childhood.
Inspiration from Family and Mentors
Numerous people had parents, grandparents, uncles, teachers, or family friends that worked in mining or geology. Through exposure from a young age, they gained insight into these careers and became inspired to follow a similar path. Supportive mentors unlocked their future direction.
Outdoor Adventure and Exploration
The opportunity to travel, work outdoors, and explore unfamiliar places lured many to the mining and geology realms. The promise of adventure doing field work around the world was a major draw. They yearned to satisfy their curiosity.
Transformative Experiences
Some people described specific moments that ignited their passion, like a pivotal class, book, movie, field trip, or conversation. These sparks set their career trajectory as the significance of mining and geology clicked.
Problem-Solving and Storytelling
Figuring out the complex puzzles presented by rocks and the earth excited many future geologists and miners. They enjoyed deciphering the tales told by geology through interpreting data to reconstruct the distant past.
The reasons that spark passion for mining and geology careers often stem from personal experiences and exposures, not messaging about industry importance. This shows the power of sharing real stories.
As a company or brand, think about how your social media and outreach can authentically convey the adventure, mentoring, problem-solving, and scientific wonders that draw people to these fields. Dry corporate messaging and posed photos probably isn't the way to inspire future generations!
That's where working with an agency like MineLife Media can help. We specialize in the mining industry and understand what motivates people within it. Let us help you harness the power of social media through real employee spotlights, engaging content, and strategy that actually resonates with the public.
If your organization needs help conveying the human side of mining on social media, let's connect. I'd love to learn your team's stories and make a strategy to authentically highlight why they love the work they do. Together, we can play a small but mighty role in securing a bright future for the geosciences.
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