From MRIs to Mining

Brandy Stewart, a native of North Carolina, has always been a caregiver at heart. After working as a radiologic technologist for 15 years, she felt the need for a change.

Little did she know that her path would lead her to the mining industry, where she now works as a safety coordinator at The Quartz Corp. “I took a 360 degree turn career wise and joined The Quartz Corp. It is the best decision I've ever made," Brandy says.

Putting People First

As a radiologic technologist, she would get a new patient every 20 minutes and prepare them for MRI scans. In that short amount of time, she used her people skills to analyze which patients might be scared or need some extra care.

Brandy's experience in healthcare has been invaluable in her new role. "Safety is definitely part of my job here, but it all comes down to making sure my colleagues are well," she explains. "My door is always open, and anyone can confidentially come to me with their issues or questions."

From Hospitals to Hydraulics

Yet, the job is not all about care and people skills. It also takes some technical know-how. With the help of hours of specialized safety training, helpful colleagues, and a solid dose of curiosity, Brandy is now mastering things she never thought she would. For example, recognizing the sound of a hydraulic pump in need.

"I've learned so much about things I never thought I'd care about, like bulldozers, trucks, and hydraulic systems. If I don’t know how to do something, I’ll look it up. There have been some hours of YouTubing to find out what sounds to listen for to find errors in heavy equipment,” Brandy laughs.

Rebuilding the Community after Hurricane Helene

The sense of community and care extends beyond the workplace at The Quartz Corp. This became evident when the tragic Hurricane Helene hit the local community in Spruce Pine hard the 26th of September.

Brandy explains that her colleagues went above and beyond to help the local community rebuild – a process that is still ongoing. Two months later, many of her colleagues are just now getting electricity back to their homes, and most schools are not yet reopened.

Since day one, all employees at The Quartz Corp split their work hours 50/50 on operations at the plant and volunteering to rebuild the local community and helping people in need.

“My colleagues helped rebuild bridges, removed fallen trees, and coordinated efforts to give out food at church. Nobody will ever know, because these people aren't asking for anything back. They just do it."

From Work to Life

For Brandy, having a good work-life balance is crucial, especially as a mother of two teenage sons. "They’ll be leaving home soon, so my time with them is precious. Work here is flexible and I feel like they really respect your need and desire for a good life also after working hours."

She says the difference is huge compared to her time in the radiology field. “I used to worry about patients when I left work, wondering if I had done everything right. Working within the health sector can be tough mentally.”

When asked why she would recommend anyone to join The Quartz Corp, Brandy doesn’t know where to start:

"There are so many reasons! Firstly, the team is amazing – the people here understand you and your personal life. You're not a number; they care about you. And if you want to grow and build your career, they are very willing to move you or promote you. Finally, the work, pay, hours, and benefits are good, and the job is secure."

Women are Welcome

Looking back at her younger years, growing up in a mining community, she finds it strange that she never considered mining an industry she could thrive in during her younger years.

“Mining has always been a natural part of society, and it has kept our society going. I hate that I didn’t consider mining for myself, probably because I am a woman. Now, I see that only I was holding myself back,” she explains.

Going forward, she hopes to see more female colleagues in the industry. “Women can definitely do the job. Still, I think many women don’t know that or they are scared because the work is so different from what they’ve done before. But everyone is so welcoming here. I’d love to see more women coming in.”