<p>I've always wanted to work in the mining industry for some reason (coal, copper, platinum, etc.).</p>
<p>I've also been interested in mechanical engineering as a major which, as far as I know, works with my first wish.</p>
<p>However, I have a bit of a dilemma in that I am limited to going to the UCs and CSUs. As far as I know, these are not exactly targets for the big mining companies (Xstrata, Anglo Amer, De Beers, etc.).</p>
<p>Can anyone here provide me any insight on this? Is my knowledge wrong? How might I go about getting around this?</p>
<p>Would the Cal Polys be a better bet?</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>Why are you limited to CA schools? Is it for cost or for distance? If cost is your concern, check out WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange). With this plan, many out of state schools can be comparably priced to in states. Some of these schools have programs which focus on mining.</p>
<p>Interesting.</p>
<p>Do these schools feed to multinational mining companies? I’d prefer to leave the US in my work.</p>
<p>Well, here are universities in the US that offer mining engineering majors:</p>
<p>Colorado School of Mines
Missouri University of Science and Technology (Formerly University of Missouri-Rolla)
Montana Tech of the University of Montana (Formerly Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology)
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Pennsylvania State University
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Arizona
University of Kentucky
University of Nevada-Reno
University of Utah
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
West Virginia University</p>
<p>Some of these have out-of-state list prices that are lower than UCs (and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has an out-of-state list price competitive with CSUs). Some of the others (e.g. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology) may be available with Western University Exchange tuition discounts.</p>
<p>Even if you do not major in mining engineering, the presence of the major may allow for some mining engineering electives alongside another major.</p>
<p>You may want to ask each school’s career center about who comes recruiting. However, you could just apply to companies from any school.</p>