AML Vacation Job Opens New Career Doors - Student Gains Hands-On Mining Experience

SANNIQUELLIE: A vacation job intended to provide financial support has become a valuable learning experience for Mercy M. Moore, a senior Laboratory Science student at Nimba University in Sanniquellie, who has discovered new career possibilities through ArcelorMittal Liberia’s (AML) 2026 Vacation Job Programme.
Assigned to AML’s Exploration Department, Mercy gained practical exposure to mining exploration, workplace safety and technical operations, broadening her understanding of an industry she had not initially considered as a potential career destination.
Through hands-on experience and mentorship from the Exploration team, she learned how exploration activities help identify mineral resources and support the mining industry. The experience also reinforced the importance of occupational safety and responsible work practices.
“The Exploration team taught me many things, and from their teaching, I learned that there are many resources beneath the ground that are beneficial to mankind. I also realized that safety is extremely important in everything we do. I will take this lesson with me and encourage others to always put safety first,” Mercy said.
She expressed appreciation to AML for exposing her to a technical field beyond her immediate academic discipline, noting that the experience had broadened her perspective on potential career pathways and strengthened her confidence to explore opportunities in the mining sector.
Although Laboratory Science and mining exploration are distinct disciplines, Mercy’s experience demonstrates how practical workplace exposure can help students recognize connections between their academic training and other technical fields.
According to Ralf Kriege, Head of Exploration at AML, Mercy and her fellow vacation students contributed to the department’s operations while developing practical workplace skills.
The students initially assisted with moving equipment and organizing core boxes before progressing to support routine activities, including core photography, core sampling and magnetic susceptibility readings.
Their responsibilities expanded as they became more familiar with the work, demonstrating a willingness to learn and adapt to the department’s operational requirements.
Kriege said, their contribution came at a particularly demanding period for the Exploration Department. He commended Mercy and her colleagues for their reliability, initiative and genuine interest in learning about exploration activities.
Their experience highlights the value of combining supervised practical assignments with mentorship, allowing students to gain firsthand knowledge of workplace expectations while contributing to ongoing operations.
AML’s Vacation Job Programme provides young Liberians with opportunities to gain practical experience alongside their academic studies, helping them understand professional environments and prepare for future employment.
Through exposure to actual workplace activities, participants can develop technical familiarity, teamwork, problem-solving skills, workplace discipline and an appreciation of occupational health and safety standards.
The programme also enables students to explore career options beyond those traditionally associated with their academic qualifications.
For Mercy, the opportunity has demonstrated that the knowledge and skills acquired through Laboratory Science may complement work in other technical areas, including mining exploration and natural resource development.
Beyond the immediate benefits to participants, workplace learning initiatives can help strengthen Liberia’s pool of locally trained talent.
Practical experience can better prepare young professionals to compete for available positions, pursue specialized training and contribute to the country’s productive sectors.
For the mining industry, developing local capabilities can also support workforce readiness, strengthen institutional knowledge and create opportunities for greater Liberian participation in technical and professional roles.
For Mercy, the 2026 vacation job has become more than a temporary source of income. It has expanded her understanding of the mining industry, introduced her to new professional possibilities and reinforced the value of learning beyond the classroom.
Her experience illustrates how practical training, workplace mentorship and exposure to unfamiliar disciplines can help young Liberians connect their education with emerging career opportunities.