How many generations of trainees have you dealt with so far? What motivated you to accept the mentor role?
I have been a mentor since 2014, the year I took on the position of Head of Cracking/DHT (e.n. - Diesel Hydrotreating) Unit. Since then, I have crossed paths with many young people, many of whom are now integrated into production, with some even holding high-responsibility positions, such as Team Leader or DCS Operator. The role of mentor is an honor and a great personal responsibility in the same time.

What do you consider the most beautiful aspect of being a mentor? And the most challenging one? 
Communication is very important, and I have always been willing to share a great deal of knowledge from my experience. Young people are eager to learn new things as quickly as possible and have the advantage of having access to much more information today than 20 or 30 years ago. The most challenging part is making them realize that there are steps that must be taken one at a time, which are very useful for their development.

What essential values do you promote when guiding your trainee in their career?
The main values promoted are: awareness of the importance of the work they do, responsibility in everything they do, teamwork, consulting more experienced people when situations arise and they are unsure of themselves and, above all, strict compliance with internal rules and procedures. 

How do you balance providing support and encouraging autonomy?
We often discuss certain hypothetical situations related to the installation's operations. I try to describe possible scenarios that could arise at any time, and in this way, I observe her way of thinking and acting.
 

What made you apply for the Together We Grow - Rompetrol Traineeship program?
This program seemed to me like the ideal opportunity to understand the work within a refinery, to see exactly how the operations unfold in a technological facility. At the same time, it seemed like a good way to test my knowledge and see if this field is suitable for me.

What was your biggest fear when you first joined the company? How did you overcome it?
My biggest fear was that knowledge gained during my university years might not be enough to do a good job in the refinery. However, over time, this fear diminished due to the advice and guidance I received from both my mentor and my more experienced colleagues, who helped me put to practice what I was learning. 

What is the biggest advantage of having a mentor at this stage of your career?
A great advantage is that I have the opportunity to learn directly from someone who has already been through all the stages of their career development, who has accumulated knowledge and experience, and who can therefore guide me towards what is correct and safe in this field.

What is the most important piece of advice/feedback you’ve received from your mentor?
One of the important pieces of advice I received from Mr. Crudu, which I don't think I'll ever forget is: "If you feel no fear at all, it means you haven't learned enough yet and you're not aware of the place you're in." 

What skills or competencies would you like to further develop?
I would like to further develop my communication with those around me, as, in my opinion, it is the most important aspect in this field, where we all work as a team and, at the same time, it is the solution to any problem.