The promotion possibilities aren't very clear, especially because the organisation is often restructuring. Likely, promotions would be possible when a manager leaves. There are also yearly pay bumps tied to performance.
Ability to move up in the company is largely based upon vacant roles. Different sites have less movement than others which restricts movement within the company.
With my discipline (metallurgy), the graduate program consists of two 1-year rotations to two sites. In the first year, it is more about learning what it is to be a metallurgist (time with operations, smaller scale projects, etc.) and in the second year, it is about transitioning into a full-time position. For those who have completed and done well in their graduate programs progress into a full-time plant metallurgist position, where people usually spend 2-5 years. From there, you can decide to progress into a more managerial position (senior plant metallurgist > supervisor plant metallurgist > superintendent > manager) or a more project-based role (project metallurgist > senior project metallurgist > technical specialist), with opportunities to swap between pathways. With significant experience, metallurgists can become advisors to sites, based in a corporate office. In Newmont, there are definitely opportunities to fulfil my career aspirations but there is significant uncertainty about my future. There is no guarantee of a job after my graduate position and no guarantee of my second graduate rotation, which affects what I will learn. Despite steady gold prices, a hiring freeze and staff layoffs makes it seem the process of progressing in the company is more challenging than other companies.
I'm currently positioned between two departments, which has been a fantastic opportunity to gain experience and exposure across different areas of the business. This dual involvement has broadened my understanding and allowed me to contribute in more versatile ways. Whenever I'm interested in learning something new, I proactively put my hand up and express interest. Most of my development has been self-guided, and I've found that taking initiative is key to accessing opportunities. As for promotion possibilities, I believe progression is closely tied to showing initiative, building relationships, and demonstrating capability. While there's no formal pathway laid out, my employer does provide opportunities to support career aspirations—especially if you're willing to seek them out and stay engaged. The flexibility to explore different areas and the encouragement to grow have been valuable in shaping my career journey so far.
