University News Last updated 02 May 2018
Second year BSc (Hons) Gemmology and Jewellery Studies student, Toby Cairn, has secured a summer internship at Cullinan Mine in Africa, the third largest diamond mining company in the world. Toby spoke to us about how he achieved the position.
How did you find out about the internship opportunity?
At the end of last year I went to the Gem-A conference, a huge event where everyone in gemmology gets together annually. Adunis Pouroulis, founder of the third largest diamond mining company in the world, was one of the speakers at the event and gave a fantastic talk about diamonds and how special they are and what place they have in today’s society. At the end of his talk, I went straight to him with questions; my most important question for Adunis was “how can I get to where you are now and found my own company?” and that is when he offered me an internship opportunity to experience the business, see if I like it and hopefully provide me with further knowledge in the area.
What is Gem-A?
With our course we are automatically enrolled to this separate organisation called The Gemmological Association, or Gem-A. It’s an organisation all about gemmology; they do a lot of research and education in the subject. It is also a great opportunity to be part of a community of gem enthusiasts, graduates and professionals.
How long is the internship for?
The internship is a two month placement where I will be moving to Africa and living on the mining site for the duration. I have also been offered a further three month placement for when I finish my degree.
Do you know what you will be doing?
Adunis understands my ambition to run my own mining company and therefore is going to give me some direct insight into the management of a business of this nature and show me the running of the mine.
What are you hoping to learn while you are there?
I would love to learn more about the structure of the business and get to know their processes, such as how far they travel to get the ore and the place they go to crush the ore and how they then sort the ore.
I am also hoping to learn about their suppliers and manufacturers, and find out more about their relationships with the South African Government.
Are you looking forward to it?
Yes, very much so. It is a fantastic opportunity for me and I think it is going to be very interesting seeing first-hand how the organisation is run.
What advice would you give to someone hoping to get a similar opportunity in the future?
I think networking is really important. I have taken every opportunity (on and off this course) to connect with people. It is through networking that I have just got a Saturday job in Hatton Garden, and it is also how I achieved this internship.