From Extraction to Infrastructure: A Career Building the Future
A significant part of her career has been spent working within the mining and minerals sector, where she gained valuable experience in projects associated with the extraction, processing and supply of essential materials. More recently, she has focused on delivering major construction and infrastructure projects.
“I have seen first-hand how minerals and mined resources move from the ground into the infrastructure that supports our communities, economy and daily lives.”
This experience has given Sharon an appreciation of the full lifecycle of materials and the interconnected nature of industries that shape the built environment.
Why the Sector Matters
For Sharon, one of the most rewarding aspects of her career is seeing how raw materials become the roads, railways, buildings and infrastructure that communities depend upon.
“The materials extracted through mining form the foundation of the infrastructure projects I help deliver today.”
Working across both mining and construction has reinforced just how essential these sectors are to modern society – and to the transition towards a more sustainable future.
The industry also offers opportunities to innovate, collaborate and make a lasting impact.
“The people in the mining sector genuinely care about what they do and the immense responsibility of doing it sustainably.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Alongside her professional role, Sharon is passionate about STEM outreach and careers education. She has worked with schools and young people to highlight the wide variety of careers available across engineering, mining and construction.
What she enjoys most is helping challenge perceptions and broaden young people’s understanding of the opportunities available.
“It is always rewarding to see students become engaged and ask questions, particularly when they realise how much of the world around them is connected to the minerals and materials industry.”
By sharing her own experiences, Sharon hopes to show that there are many different routes into engineering and that careers can evolve in unexpected and rewarding ways.
Creating Educational Resources
One of Sharon’s proudest achievements has been leading the development of two educational activity booklets designed to help young people learn about minerals, mining and their role in everyday life.
The resources were created to make complex topics accessible, engaging and interactive, helping students understand where the materials that support modern life come from and introducing them to the diverse careers available within the sector.
From coordinating content development to working with contributors, Sharon played a central role in ensuring the materials were both educational and enjoyable.
A Passion for Inspiring Others
Sharon believes inspiring young people is essential to addressing future challenges, from sustainable development and resource management to the transition to a low-carbon economy.
“The industry needs skilled, innovative and diverse people, and outreach plays an important role in building that future workforce.”
Through sharing real-world experiences and showcasing the breadth of opportunities available, Sharon hopes to encourage the next generation to explore careers that help shape the world around us.