Tell us briefly about your story at Rompetrol. 
I have been working at Rompetrol for almost 20 years. I started in Process and Engineering at the refinery and gradually gained experience in CapEx (Capital Expenditure – the money a company invests to acquire, upgrade or maintain long-term physical assets), and project management – first within the refi nery and later at the Group level. This experience gave me an overview of projects, both technically and fi nancially, at the Business Unit and Group level.  Currently, my role combines project management with coordinating PMO processes and activities for the refinery and industrial projects, giving me the satisfaction of seeing things effectively implemented and working in practice. 

How many generations of trainees have you mentored? What made you accept the role of mentor? 
This is my second generation of trainees. I have worked with students during internships before and discovered how rewarding it is to help them understand processes, build confi dence, and feel part of the team. The mentor role allows me to continue doing this, to be by their side during their first real work experiences and to encourage them to discover their potential. 

What do you consider the best and most challenging aspects of being a mentor?
The best part is seeing the trainee’s growth – watching them understand things on their own, solve problems, and have the courage to take initiative. The most diffi cult is fi nding the balance between being present for support and leaving space for them to learn from experience, without taking control. 

What essential values do you promote when guiding your trainee’s career? 
I strive to instill responsibility, clarity, and consistency, as well as curiosity and a desire to understand things deeply. Additionally, I promote initiative and collaboration – I believe that in complex projects, such as CapEx, it’s important to know how to work with others and add value to the team. 

How do you maintain a balance between off ering support and encouraging autonomy? 
I try to be present at key moments, for clarifi cations or when complex questions arise, but without making decisions for her. The goal is for her to gain real experience, learn from every step, and build self-confi dence, maintaining the balance between support and independence. 

Describe Roxana in three words:
Organized, serious, dedicated

Where and how did your journey in the company begin? What made you apply for the Together We Grow – Rompetrol Traineeship program? 
My journey with the company began with my participation in the Together We Grow – Rompetrol Traineeship, 25th edition. This experience was a great starting point for my professional development, as I had the chance to learn from dedicated mentors and to acquire both technical knowledge and important skills, such as teamwork and adapting to a dynamic work environment. I chose to apply to this program because of the company’s reputation and the development opportunities it off ers, as well as my desire to grow and learn from industry professionals. Currently, I am continuing my training period, and I hope to further develop myself within the company. The Rompetrol Traineeship program off ered me the opportunity to better understand the professional environment and take my fi rst steps toward a clear career path. 

What was your biggest fear when you joined the company? How did you overcome it? 
My biggest fear when I joined the company was the unknown and not knowing exactly how the work environment functions. However, during the Traineeship experience I received support and openness to learning, which helped me adapt easily and gain more confi dence in myself. 

What is the greatest advantage of having a mentor? 
The greatest advantage of having a mentor is knowledge transfer, as you get the opportunity to learn directly from someone with experience in the fi eld who can off er advice for your professional growth. So far, my mentor has been the one from the Traineeship program, Elis Geacai, with whom I managed to develop my technical knowledge and integrate more easily. What is the most important advice or feedback you received from your mentor? One of the most important pieces of advice I received from my mentor was to stay open to new things and not be afraid to ask questions. By asking questions, I had the opportunity to better understand what I had to do and to carry out my tasks with more confi dence. 

How did your mentor help you integrate into the team and your current role? 
My mentor played a very important role in my integration during the Traineeship program and in my current position. She helped me better understand the processes and tasks I had to carry out, off ering guidance and feedback whenever I needed it. Also, her support and availability contributed to an easier adjustment to the work environment and, ultimately, to productive collaboration. 

What skills or competencies would you like to develop further? 
In the future, I would like to further develop my ability to work effi ciently in a team and to take initiative, as I believe these are essential for performing in a professional environment. I also want to strengthen my technical skills to contribute more to the company's projects. 

Describe your mentor in three words:
Professional, dedicated, communicative