Like its sister industry, mining, the aggregate industry stimulates the local economy and offers diverse job opportunities. In 2020, Arizona Rock Products’ firms generated $5.9 Billion in total economic impact in Arizona and contributed 27,478 direct jobs and 19,362 indirect jobs to the state. And, much like mining, careers in aggregates offer a host of benefits including diverse career pathways, competitive pay and more. Miranda Delgado, human resources administrator, Martin Marietta West Division – Arizona District, shares her experience and expertise about what it’s like to have a career in aggregates in 2024 (and beyond).
DEEPER DIVE: How Arizona educational institutions fuel state’s aggregate workforce
Az Business: Can you provide examples of aggregate employment options?
Miranda Delgado: Specific job titles that come to mind include Loader Operator, Heavy Equipment Operator, Primary/Secondary Crusher Operator, Plant Operator, Wash Plant Operator, Plant Utility and Maintenance, Quality Control Technician, Weighmaster, Office Manager, Plant Manager, Operational Excellence Engineer, Safety Specialist, Environmental Engineer, Land Manager, Outside Sales Representative, Area Manager. There are many more positions available both at a plant and management level.
AB: What are some of the biggest misconceptions about aggregate-related careers?
MD: I think that a huge misconception about aggregates-related careers is that they’re just dirty jobs. While that is true (we crush rocks all day!), I think it’s a very one-dimensional view of the work we do. The employees I work with wouldn’t have it any other way. They love what they do. The ability to work outdoors, physically creating a product, and the knowledge that what we do benefits our communities is highly rewarding. An additional misconception would be that we only employ plant-level positions. We offer administrative, technical service and engineering-quality-assurance related positions as well.
AB: What are some of the advantages of a career in aggregates/mining?
MD: There are many advantages of a career in the aggregates and mining industry. People who enjoy hard work in a non-traditional office environment can find a career and a sense of purpose within the industry. Getting started in the industry does not require formal schooling and is an extremely lucrative career path with extensive opportunities for growth.
The ability to travel to our sites and get out of the routine nine to five is, personally, a huge advantage. I love to work on the front end of creating Phoenix’s built environment where communities will live, work and thrive. Knowing that we are improving communities is highly motivational to me. I think heavy machinery is cool and I never knew crushing rocks could be so interesting to learn about.
AB: What attracted you to a career in aggregates and mining?
MD: My educational background is in environmental sustainability. I am passionate about social issues and the environment. I wanted to work in a high-impact industry that I could learn and eventually improve from an operational/environmental standpoint. I felt that my values and future goals aligned well with aggregates and mining.
AB: What suggestions/advice would you give to someone considering a similar career?
MD: A suggestion that I would have for someone considering a similar career would be to create meaningful relationships with employees and learn as much as possible surrounding industry processes to be successful and most effective.
