Working 12 jobs over the course of his impressive 54-year career, WA School of Mines (WASM) graduate James McGeough (Senior Certificate in Mine Surveying, 1972) says you should never be afraid to follow your heart.
James’ WASM years were jam-packed with many diverse opportunities, from working underground in gold mines and transferring train cargo by hand during the early hours of the morning to working for a Melbourne exploration company during the nickel boom.
Reflecting on his study years, James recalls getting the incredible opportunity to use the world’s first scientific pocket calculator – The Hewlett Packard. It was thanks to the calculator that his interest in automation was sparked.
James during his WASM days
“I enjoyed the academic side of the School of Mines. I was lucky to be studying at just the right time in the advent of the Hewlett Packard programmable calculator, which I became interested in. That led me towards a small computer company in Perth, which pulled me to California and then New Guinea.”
One of his most memorable moments during his first year in Kalgoorlie, was searching for gold 4,000 metres underground in a metre wide tunnel as a cadet miner all while dodging cockroaches the size of mice.
Since Kalgoorlie, James has worked in a range of careers in all corners of the globe, such as mining, road construction, automation design, consulting, starting his own technology company, buying a hotel and even becoming a musician.
James (left) performed with band Boxty Rebellion in China (2010)
Nowadays changing careers is nothing new, in fact it’s estimated that most people will have 12 jobs over their lifetime. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many of us may have toyed with the idea of trying out a new career, but now may be the time to try something new.
Curtin Future of Work Institute Director Professor Mark Griffin says changing your employment can help advance your career.
“In recent years, technology changes, such as automation and networked services, are rapidly changing the tasks and skills required in organisations. Together these trends mean it is increasingly important to be flexible about where and how we find meaningful work.
“This change magnifies the need to develop skills, such as creative problem solving, that are transferable across different settings in order to remain relevant,” Professor Griffin says.
After his formative years at WASM, James says he felt empowered to tackle anything.
“In terms of a standout moment in my career since graduation, I would say there have been many throughout the years and a common thread between these milestones would be ‘change’,” he said.
James said adapting to new life in Australia at the age of 15 and having to move away from friends and family in Ireland gave him the foundations to accept and embrace change.
“I think it’s important to not be afraid to jump and try something new that taps more into your true personality,” he said.
“Don’t allow yourself to get trapped into feeling your initial major is the only thing, I think it would be a great idea for graduates to look for a second major, a lot of people will go on to do a higher degree in the same topic, but I don’t think it necessarily has to be like that.”
Where has your degree taken you? Reconnect and share your story with the WA School of Mines Alumni here.
