Here's how you can conquer challenges and obstacles in your mining engineering career with assertiveness.

La preparación es esencial fundamental siempre estar a la vanguardia, pero el verdadero aprendizaje se aprende en campo y escuchando y viendo a todos los que saben más que uno cuando uno está empezando a caminar dentro del mundo de la minería, imagínense combinar la preparación académica con el aprendizaje de campo, todos los buenos resultados que generan esta combinación ahí es donde se puede aplicar la ingeniería

Listen to the experienced hands. People working at the face and act on the information provided. Have a good ear. Try not to reinvent the wheel a lot of people have forgotten more than you know.

1. Develop a positive mindset, sometimes Challenges can be overwhelming as a young professional but victory always starts from within. 2. Be a researcher: having a wide range of knowledge in the mining industry is very important, it keeps you updated and helps to avoid or repeat mistakes. 3. Be persistent and prioritise personal development to equip yourself. Solutions to problems are always precipitated by knowledge. 4. Always seek help from experts in the industry. Sometimes obstacles are some people's experiences ahead of us.

Continuous learning is the backbone of success in mining engineering. Technology and regulations constantly shift, staying updated is non-negotiable. Being assertive means taking the initiative to expand your knowledge—whether it's through pursuing relevant certifications, attending specialised workshops, or diving into the latest industry research. By proactively seeking these learning opportunities, you don’t just keep pace with changes; you position yourself to lead them. This dedication allows you to contribute meaningfully to discussions, make well-informed decisions, and confidently lead projects. It's this kind of forward-thinking approach that showcases commitment to excellence and solidifies your role in any mining operation.

Networking is the cornerstone of career growth, particularly in mining engineering. For assertive professionals, building a strong network is about actively reaching out to peers, mentors, and industry leaders to cultivate relationships that provide guidance, support, and open doors to new opportunities. Attending industry conferences, joining professional associations, and engaging in online forums are excellent ways to connect with others. By fostering a robust professional network, you gain access to diverse perspectives and experiences and also equip yourself with the resources needed to tackle challenges. This proactive approach ensures you can advance your career with confidence, knowing you have a solid network backing your journey.

Being a good project manager is about being decisive so people have clear direction. After principal decisions are made about the strategy for execution empower the people who are executing the works to apply their own methodology. Simply ask what would they do and how they would do the task and let them get on with it. Remain available to provide advice and support if needed.