After a few twists and turns with study and career choices, Jo Coppard is happy with her role as Database Technical Officer with Anglo American Metallurgical Coal and is on track to be our first Associate Diploma of Geoscience graduate.

Jo says she has enjoyed the ability to study externally while working in the field of study "as there is always someone willing to explain or show you what the textbooks and the lecturers are trying to get across".

Jo Coppard's all smiles now she's found her career niche

While validating and managing geological data from exploration boreholes, she's been completing her diploma and considering options for a full degree program.

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Jo grew up on the Central Highlands and attended boarding school in Rockhampton before embarking on degree studies, trying out human movements and then psychology before moving to Emerald to help out at her parents' bakery. She then got the chance to complete her apprenticeship as a baker/pastry chef.

From her base at Emerald, Jo noticed Anglo American Metallurgical Coal was advertising Mining Associate positions as a solution for the shortage of engineering professionals.

"I applied and was offered a position as a Mining Associate beginning in January 2006.  My parents had sold the Emerald Bakery in October of 2005 and I felt that I was up for a new challenge," she said.

"I began in the Geology department working with the site Database Geologist.  The mine was in the process of implementing 'acQuire' - a geological database application for the management of exploration data - and there was over 30 years of drilling data to organise and load into the new system. 

"After spending 12 months on the associate program I realised that my interest lay in the field of Geology more than Engineering and, with the assistance of my supervisor and the Technical Services Manager, I transferred my degree from the AD of Engineering to an AD of Mining Technology which had more of a Geoscience aspect.

"In semester 2 of 2008 the AD of Geoscience became available and I transferred my studies to this degree.  I have been the Database Technical Officer for five years come January 2011. In my role with Anglo American Metallurgical Coal I am constantly learning new skills to assist with study, work and life."

Jo works with geological data obtained at the Anglo American Metallurgical Coal sites in the Central Bowen Basin Exploration Hub, which includes three underground mining operations and three surface mining operations.

"My role includes working with all facets of mining employees from exploration geologists to engineers and assisting mining professionals in using the data that we obtain to support and improve the mining processes," she said.

Outside work and study, Jo enjoys swimming, running, going to the gym and keeping fit.

"I like to participate in community fun runs and have recently started getting involved in triathlons. When I am relaxing I like to try and keep up to date with music, movies and playing with my two dogs. I enjoy travelling when I get the chance but working full time and studying has curtailed that somewhat."