When Alexia Carver first stepped foot onto campus, she was still learning to tie her shoes. She attended preschool and kindergarten on the University’s campus and has since become a third-generation family member to attend the University of Nevada, Reno for college. A resident of Cold Springs, Nevada, she knows better than most that the path to higher education can look different for everyone. When she was 10, she watched her mom walk across the stage at commencement, having come back to finish a bachelor’s degree that she had started 26 years earlier. Carver couldn’t have been prouder of her mom, who continued on to get a master’s degree – why stop when you’re on a roll?

Carver attended North Valleys High School and was the valedictorian of her class. When graduating from high school, she knew exactly what she wanted to do – become a physician’s assistant. Motivated and with a thirst for knowledge, she was determined to get undergraduate research experience as a freshman on campus, knowing that it would help her with her medical school application down the road.

“There are opportunities to make [metallurgical engineering] sustainable so that future generations have what they need to exist and thrive. If you want to change the world, get into mining.”

She wrote to professors, finding a match with Ehsan Vahidi, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering. Vahidi became her mentor and through Carver’s experience working in Vahidi’s lab as a copyeditor, Carver discovered a new academic passion for something she had just a basic understanding of: metallurgical engineering.

In simple terms, metallurgical engineering is the study of physical and chemical behaviors of metals, including extraction, processing and use in various products and industries. Carver prefers the term “mineral processor” to metallurgical engineer, since it’s often easier for folks to understand.

Vahidi’s research intertwines metallurgical engineering and sustainability sciences – a combination that Carver is passionate about. Working in his lab was the spark that ignited a major change in Carver’s life. She changed her major to metallurgical engineering and is thrilled about the field, her work and her bright future ahead.

 In addition to her studies, she’s a mentor and advocate for future scholars through a number of programs and organizations, including Nevada Bound. As part of her work, she visits local high schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, and the Girl Scouts, speaking with students about the challenging and rewarding work of metallurgical engineering and higher education in general.

“We need environmental scientists and environmental processors who have a strong love of the outdoors,” Carver said. “There are opportunities to make [metallurgical engineering] sustainable so that future generations have what they need to exist and thrive. If you want to change the world, get into mining.”

Networking is key to success in the field. “It can be scary at first to meet 30+ year professionals, but these professionals are, across the board, the most humble, willing-to-learn people. They know that you, as a new person in the field, have a fresh perspective to add, and they want to hear what you have to say,” Carver said.

Carver has taken advantage of many opportunities that have helped her network, find mentors, connect with peers and learn from industry professionals. She is the past president of the University’s chapter of the Women in Mining Club. She’s also a member of the local geological society. Both organizations are free or low-cost and help members find paid internships and scholarships, making education more affordable. They also bring in guest speakers from the industry, including experts in personal finance, to help students learn to manage their money once they start making it.

“Companies reach out to us!” Carver said. “The mining companies are hurting for workers. It is estimated that by 2029, 50% of the mining industry is going to retire.”

That creates even more opportunity for graduates to find meaningful jobs that will pay well, and financial aid abounds in this field.

“Everything is getting more expensive, but the Mackay School gives out over $500,000 a year to its students in scholarships,” Carver said. “I’m able to go to school for free now, and I’m not the only one!”

“If you’re driven and passionate, it’s about how much you’re willing to learn instead of how much you know – don’t be intimidated.”

She finds every opportunity to earn scholarships and work experience. Carver recently presented about her summer 2025 internship in Carlin, NV, on camera monitoring systems for crushers and was awarded an additional $1,000 for presenting on it.

Metallurgical engineering is a critical area of the sciences, but it’s a relatively rare area of study. The University of Nevada, Reno is one of only 19 institutions worldwide that is accredited for Mining Engineering by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and has been accredited since 1936.

“If you’re driven and passionate, it’s about how much you’re willing to learn instead of how much you know – don’t be intimidated,” Carver said.

A small but mighty graduating class leaves the University each semester, prepared for an exciting career in mining engineering.

“Resources naturally get more difficult to obtain, and these programs help students learn how to look at a problem, not how to think,” Carver said.

After graduation, Carver isn’t quite sure where she will land, but she knows that there are ample opportunities, and she’ll have no trouble finding work.

“Minerals and mines are literally all over the world! I see a lifetime of cool, challenging and fun times ahead in this field.” Carver said.

About Find Your Pack

“Find Your Pack” is a video series that highlights real students at the University of Nevada, Reno as they explore their passions, overcome challenges and discover who they are. From student-athletes to researchers, artists to engineers, each story showcases the diverse paths students take — and the supportive community that helps them thrive.