Class of 2025: Brian Arnold harvests a wealth of mining experience
Name: Brian Arnold
Hometown: Chestertown, Maryland
College: College of Engineering
Major: Mining and minerals engineering
Favorite Hokie memory: “My freshman year, we beat a ranked UNC team in the first football game of the 2021 season. I got to experience ‘Enter Sandman’ for the first time, and we stormed the field after the game. That day was incredible and, just two weeks into my time at Virginia Tech, I realized I had chosen the right place.”
Plans after graduation: Continue his education at Virginia Tech for a year to complete his master's in mining engineering through the accelerated program.
Growing a passion for mining
On a bustling vegetable farm in Maryland, Brian Arnold learned the value of a strong work ethic from an early age. From waking up early, to working with large equipment, these experiences instilled in him a relentless drive and determination, teaching him to think on his feet, adapt to challenges, and find solutions quickly, all skills that he plans to use everyday in his future career. Watching his father work from sunup to sundown on the farm inspired him to pursue an industry that provides for people.
But he never imagined it would be mining.
Initially hesitant to follow his older brother to Virginia Tech, Arnold was quickly convinced after visiting campus and feeling a strong connection to Blacksburg. He started out as a general engineering student, leaning toward aerospace or mechanical engineering. That is, until Aaron Noble delivered a guest lecture on space mining in one of Arnold’s classes.
"I reached out to Dr. Noble to tell him his guest lecture sparked my interest in mining,” Arnold said. “Despite being on winter break, he took the time to meet with me over Zoom and discuss the industry, curriculum, and undergraduate research opportunities. I applied for an undergraduate research assistant position in his lab the following spring, and that experience solidified my decision to major in mining engineering."
Arnold said that this kind of support from the department has helped set him up for success in his future career.
Hands-on experience
Arnold has not shied away from the many opportunities to get involved in the mining industry. He’s completed three internships, including a rare paid internship the summer after his freshman year with Martin Marietta.
He later landed two additional internships with Carter Caterpillar and Luck Stone through Virginia Tech’s Built for the Mine program, which connects mining engineering students with hands-on experiential learning opportunities through industry partners. The program also serves as an excellent opportunity for the industry to recruit top talent from the College of Engineering.
“Having the opportunity to be ‘boots on the ground’ gave me a well-rounded view of what my future as a mining engineer might look like,” Arnold said. “It prepared me to be a better engineer by making me aware of the realistic challenges I will face in the industry and equipping me with the skills needed to address them. Connecting the dots between education and the real-world industry has given me a significant advantage, and I think it's really important.”
Making an impact in the lab
In addition to experience in industry, Arnold has had plenty of hands-on learning opportunities in the lab. For the past two years, he’s been an undergraduate researcher in Rohit Pandey’s lab, assisting with several geomechanical projects.
“Brian truly exemplifies academic excellence, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to his work," said Pandey, an assistant professor in mining and minerals engineering. "His positive attitude, dedication, and impressive ability to tackle complex technical challenges have greatly enriched our research group. I am delighted he has chosen to continue pursuing his Master's in mining engineering with me, as I am confident his talent, strong work ethic, and determination will lead him to even greater achievements.”
Safety first
Safety is a paramount concern for Arnold, who believes in making mining processes safer through engineering controls,efficiency improvements ,and reducing human involvement in hazardous steps to prevent accidents and injuries.
“Safety is always at the forefront of our minds as mining engineers,” Arnold said. “We start some of our classes every day with a safety share, where we go around the room and hear tips from everyone to keep us aware of potential hazards, even in something as simple as walking to class. For me, especially, my passion as a mining engineer boils down to how we can make these processes safer.”
Arnold also received the Old Timer’s Club Award: the department’s most prestigious award, meant to recognize an outstanding graduating senior for academic excellence, superb leadership qualities, and health and safety values.
After graduation, Arnold will be sticking around Blacksburg for another year to complete his master's in mining engineering through the accelerated program before he takes his wealth of knowledge and passion for safety into the industry. Although he won't be harvesting vegetables, Arnold is excited about the significant impact mining has on society and he’s confident it will be just as rewarding.
