Michaela Crum

Michaela Crum graduated with a BS in Geological Engineering with a minor in Mining from Michigan Tech in 2008. “When I first started college, everyone told me that it really didn’t matter what your major is when you start out, because most likely it will change. This proved entirely false in my case,” says Crum. “After taking my first geology classes, I knew that was the right decision for me. Dr. Bill Gregg was a particular influence on her studies. “He brought his industry experience and wisdom to the classroom to make the material interesting, applicable to real world examples, and easy to comprehend.” 

Crum fondly recalls the intense summer field courses, ten weeks long. “It develops respect for the field, friendships between students, and unity within the department unlike any other discipline at Michigan Tech.” A tour of the Tilden Mine that summer was influential in her life, and was the day she decided to focus her studies toward mining.

“The GMES department gave us the academic freedom to pursue a unique senior project—a Slope Stability Analysis at the Tilden Mine for Cliffs Natural Resources. That’s where I met the wonderful people I work with today— my senior design project resulted in a summer internship with Cliffs and later, a full time job. The members of my senior design team are now working successfully in the mining industry as well.”

Crum is now a geological engineer with Cliffs Natural Resources, a diverse mining company with operations all over the world. She works within a department that provides global research and technical services to all of the operations. Her projects include geologic computer modeling of coal and iron ore deposits along with exploration drilling programs and reserve analysis.

“I love making friends and being part of organizations,” she adds. “Learning time management skills and exactly how much I can handle at once was a very important lesson I learned at Michigan Tech. It has helped throughout my life and career ever since.”

“My best friends today are still the same people I met in college and I hope we will stay in touch for many years to come. Michigan Tech is also where I met my wonderful husband, Allen!”

“Think about what you like to do. Do you like to be outside? Do you like to travel? Do you like science, puzzles, looking at or creating maps? Geological Engineering involves all of these activities no matter what you do with your degree.”
—Michaela Crum

This profile appeared in the Spring 2013 issue of On the Faultline, Volume 2, Number 5