How many generations of trainees have you mentored? What motivated you to accept the role of mentor for another generation? 
Currently, I’m mentoring the third generation of trainees in their career development. I accepted this role, and I will continue to accept it with an open heart every time for each generation because, through this, I’ve been able to fulfill one of my dreams from when I was a trainee myself. The opportunity I now have to share what I’ve accumulated over time with others who collaborate with me, and, at the same time, to feel that I can have a real, positive impact on their careers.

What do you consider to be the most rewarding aspect of being a mentor? And the most challenging? 
The most rewarding feeling is that you can change the destinies of people who are passionate about the same thing as you. I don’t believe there is a truly difficult aspect, as I do this out of pure passion, but if I had to mention something, I would say that the hardest part is to convey the information in a way that everyone can understand, so that there is collective progress, not just individual. 

What are the core values you promote when guiding your trainee in their career? 
The core values I promote to every generation of trainees are: workplace safety comes first because someone is waiting for us at home every day, respect for colleagues and the profession, passion and responsibility in approaching every challenge we face in this field, and, last but not least, the continuous transfer of knowledge because those who are trainees today may be the mentors of tomorrow.

How have you adapted your mentoring style based on the needs and personality of the trainee you are working with now? 
Generally, I am quite a flexible person who adapts to the needs of others to help them evolve. In the case of my colleague, Roxana, I didn’t have any difficulties adapting because, from our first discussions, we managed, together, to find the best communication channel so that she could understand the information and apply it easily. 

How do you maintain a balance between providing support and encouraging her autonomy? 
Since Roxana completed the Traineeship program in 2024 and officially joined the company, I’ve tried to offer her all the support she needs to grow in her career, from the fundamentals of chemical engineering to detailed technical knowledge within the Delayed Coking unit. The balance came after a period of accumulation, as in the early stages of her career, she had to intake a lot of new technical information. After some time, I started encouraging her ability to manage and analyze various hypothetical and factual situations, based on my past experiences. To encourage her autonomy, I presented many case studies, both hypothetical and actual past situations, to help her easily identify causes, effects, and solutions to those situations. By doing this, Roxana was able to better understand how we should approach challenges that arise in our work.

What motivated you to apply for the TogetherWeGrow – Rompetrol Traineeship program?
My desire to apply for this program stemmed from a genuine passion for the oil industry and a wish to see in practice what I had learned theoretically at university. I wanted to directly engage with the refinery, see the complex equipment I had studied, and apply the knowledge I had accumulated. After trying to join the program from my first year of university without success, I kept applying persistently, and in my fourth year, after finishing my studies, I was fortunate enough to be accepted. This opportunity helped me solidify my theoretical foundations, work under the guidance of professionals, and acquire new skills that would shape me as an engineer. 

What was your biggest fear when you first joined the company? How did you overcome it?
My biggest fear was not being able to meet expectations and making mistakes in such a complex and rigorous environment. However, thanks to the support of my mentor and the team, I overcame this fear. Process engineer Claudiu Batutu, my mentor, helped me understand that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. Through his detailed explanations, patience, and dedication, he encouraged me to view each challenge as an opportunity to learn and improve.

What is the biggest advantage of having a mentor at this stage of your career? 
A mentor is a professional compass in a complex field. Claudiu Batutu, my mentor, offered me more than just technical support. He provided me with direction and confidence, offering not only detailed technical explanations about the processes in the Delayed Coking unit, but also advice on how to approach professional challenges. 

What is the most important piece of advice/feedback you’ve received from your mentor? 
The most important advice I received from my mentor was not to be afraid to ask questions and to take responsibility for my actions. He taught me to view every problem as a learning opportunity, to develop my analytical thinking, and to be open to feedback. He also emphasized the importance of consistency, attention to detail, and teamwork.

What skills or competencies would you like to further develop? 
I would like to improve my ability to make quick decisions in critical situations and enhance my capacity to analyze complex data.