From Papua to Butte, mining engineering student finds opportunity and community at Montana Tech

Growing up in Papua, Indonesia, Ola Tipagau never imagined she would someday study mining engineering thousands of miles from home in Butte, Montana.

“I actually wanted to be a pilot,” Tipagau remembers.

That changed when her father, who worked in mining, invited her underground during a career exploration week in high school. Tipagau grew up in Timika, a mining community in eastern Indonesia with a major copper and gold mining operation.

“The mine was huge,” she said. “I felt like mining had big opportunities and offered me a career.”

Today, Tipagau is a junior mining engineering student at Montana Technological University.

She first learned about Montana Tech through a connection to her father's work. Her father's former boss was a Montana Tech alumnus living in Bozeman who helped her learn about the University and settle in after she arrived.

Montana Tech's mining engineering program, particularly its opportunities for practical underground experience, made Butte stand out.

“I feel like Butte, especially Montana, really suits me the best with the program, with the underground practicality and such amazing programs and professors,” Tipagau said.

At Montana Tech, Tipagau has taken her education underground at the Underground Mine Education Center. As a sophomore, she gained experience in underground surveying, drilling and equipment operation.

Those experiences paid off when she returned to Indonesia for an internship, where she rotated through areas including production, design and development, and cave rehabilitation.

Her Montana Tech coursework meant she already understood many of the tools, concepts and terminology she encountered.

“Those terminologies I learned from classes were really helpful when I had my internship,” Tipagau said. “I knew what they were talking about.”

The internship also gave her an opportunity to spend time with her family. Being thousands of miles away from them, she said, has been the most difficult part of studying in Montana.

“Being far from family, it's a tough thing to do,” Tipagau said.

She often remembers advice from her mother during challenging times.

“If you want to sharpen a knife, you have to hone it multiple times,” Tipagau said. “Those trials and struggles will make you somebody in the future.”

Adjusting to a new country wasn't always easy, but Tipagau found support through Montana Tech's close-knit community.

Friends helped her navigate everything from getting a debit card to learning to drive and buying a car. She eventually began helping other students find their own place on campus as an orientation leader.

The role pushed Tipagau, who considers herself an introvert, outside her comfort zone and helped her develop skills in public speaking, organization and leadership.

She has also become involved in Women in Mining, the Society of Women Engineers and Montana Tech's mining team. A Women in Mining trip to Arizona gave her the chance to meet professionals and see other women building careers in the industry.

Her experiences have shaped the advice she gives to other students.

“Put yourself out there and just step out of your comfort zone, and you'll get the help that you need,” she said. “Make sure that you have your community, your friends, because those people will help you a lot.”

After graduation, Tipagau is considering earning a master's degree and hopes to gain professional experience before eventually returning to Indonesia.

For her, mining engineering offers an opportunity to someday give back to the place where her interest in the industry began.

“I'm fortunate enough to be Papuan, but also to have that career that will help my community in the future,” Tipagau said. “I want to help build a better community.”