When he was 22 years old, and still pursuing his undergraduate degree, Carlos Rodríguez was eager for new job challenges. Ternium Colombia appeared on his way, with the opportunity to add to his experience.
Since he was a child, Carlos Rodríguez has found in education the way to give his family a better quality of life. Today he is a mechanical engineer by the University of the Atlantic and currently works in the company as a lamination specialist technician.
He says that back in 2019, through the National Learning Service (SENA), he applied for a call for training at Ternium. At the end of the meetings, he submitted his resume in the selection process. Thanks to his commitment and skills, he joined the Palmar de Varela Industrial Center in December of that year as a Finishing Area Assistant.
“I was trying to learn all the time and people would dedicate time to teach you. That's how I got to know the processes of my current position. This experience has brought me many challenges and opportunities”, says Carlos.
In the midst of various difficulties, Carlos was still determined to finish his studies. On the one hand, his economic situation was not the best; on the other, Palmar was far from Puerto Colombia. Despite this, in 2021, with the help of his family and the company, he successfully graduated.
“Although things got complicated to continue studying, I never stopped. I was in the seventh semester when I started working at the plant. After ten months, I became a Level I Workshop Mechanic. Four months later I moved into production as a Laminating Mechanic. And then, I was able to learn from other areas and perform my current position.”
The first change was through the career plan, through internal calls. The career plan is an excellent company strategy to promote personal growth.
Life at Ternium
Upon joining Ternium, Carlos found himself in a warm and collaborative environment that encouraged him to believe in his abilities and potential.
Among his most challenging days, there is the one in which he started at the position in which he works today. “When they asked me if I felt ready to take on the Specialist Technician position, that day I said: 'they trust me, they think I can do it, so I can do it.' The next day I started at the position and my colleagues were very attentive and willing to help me”, he says.
Facing new roles is not easy, but this engineer was able to achieve it and respond in the best way to the responsibility assigned to him. In addition, he reports that his work experience has taught him to trust his abilities and qualities as a leader. Moreover, he acknowledges the experience he has gained at the plant and highlights the relationships he has forged as well as the friends he has found.
His work experience has taught him to trust his abilities and qualities as a leader.
Carlos Rodríguez and Deiver Mercado
“It is peculiar because when I entered the plant, a neighbor from the neighborhood where I lived with my parents in Palmar also entered. I knew him, but we had never talked. We came to the company to face different challenges together and we established a very good relationship, we became very good friends”, he recalls.
Carlos maintains that it is very gratifying to know that not only he has been able to get ahead: seeing the people of his town in the company fills him with satisfaction since he is convinced that the company offers great opportunities for everyone.
Goals to achieve - Dreams to fulfill
Although the future is uncertain, Carlos is sure of his dreams. He hopes to continue working at Ternium and to grow more and more within the company. He also wants to continue studying, because he knows that it could help him to improve his quality of life and his family’s.
“I hope that my siblings can also continue studying and get ahead. It is very important to me that my family can do it. I do everything I can to support and motivate them,” he says.
Although chasing his dreams has not been easy, he has always found a way to achieve them. “I think you have to be dedicated, grateful, and persistent. Every day one must get up with clear goals, no matter the obstacles, problems are not to give up, they are to be solved”, he concludes.