Do you remember your first day in the company? What was your experience like? What did you do?
On my first day here, I felt incredibly proud to be part of an organization that produces the essential fuel for a significant part of "Romania's engine". Additionally, in Petromidia, I found many activities and production units where I could apply the theoretical knowledge I gained in university.

What has been your biggest career challenge? What about the main achievement?
My biggest challenge and achievement were ensuring that the automation of the technological installations operates 24/7, safely and with maximum efficiency. To make this happen, besides the necessary knowledge, a great deal of responsibility and dedication is required.

In your department, what is the biggest challenge currently?
The biggest challenge at this moment is starting up the cogeneration plant and delivering electricity to the National Energy System.

Name three values, skills, or rules necessary for success in this area.
Curiosity, discipline, and honesty.

What would you like new colleagues to learn from you, those with more experience in the field, and carry forward?
What I would like to be passed on is the specialized knowledge and its application that each of us has learned in turn from others who are more experienced and to which we have added our own experiences. Trainees and new colleagues should embrace, reinforce, and develop what they have learned so that they can share it with those who follow them.

What do you think is the secret ingredient for a successful mentor?
I believe the secret ingredient for a successful mentor is balance. Healthy development requires good communication between the mentor and the trainee, as well as a "shadow" control that doesn’t disturb or create pressure, but ultimately helps resolve issues that arise.

What values/skills do you appreciate most in Iulian?
What I appreciate most about Iulian is his dedication, discipline, and intelligence - qualities that allow him to deepen and combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience, leading to his rapid development.  

Tell us briefly what made you apply to the Together We Grow - Rompetrol Traineeship program.
I knew that a lack of experience would be a barrier to becoming employed in my desired field, so I applied for this program to gain the necessary experience, learn new things, develop communication skills, and build professional relationships. Even though I’ve only been here a short time, I have already achieved a lot of what I set out to do.

What was your biggest concern when you came to the company? How did you get through it?
I wasn’t afraid of anything because I knew that at Rompetrol, there is a culture of integrating young graduates, and since I wanted to work here, I was looking forward to experiencing the Traineeship program. So, I came with confidence that I would receive support and understanding to take my first steps in my career, and that’s how it turned out.

How important is it to have a mentor at the beginning of your journey, and what is the most important advice you received from them?
I believe that a mentor is a very important person, especially at the beginning of your journey, because they can make you love the profession you choose, to work in a company or not. I say this because I see the mentor as an experienced person who provides support and guidance in blending theory with practice in the field.

What skills or competencies would you like to develop further?
I want to develop my organizational skills to better manage all my responsibilities and ensure they are executed correctly, as well as critical thinking to find solutions to problems by easily identifying weaknesses or flaws.

For better personal and professional development, how would you like the Mentor-Trainee collaboration and communication to look like?
I believe the most important thing is that the relationship between mentor and trainee is based on trust, mutual respect, and a desire to provide support in the professional development through effective communication, focusing on deepening the knowledge in the field.

What values or skills do you most appreciate in your mentor, Cristian?
What I appreciated and still appreciate most about my mentor are his patience and constant involvement; he helped me understand many things in a relatively short time, avoid certain mistakes, and gain confidence in myself. I am glad to have met him, and I thank him for all his support.