Carlos Tapia, a young blind student pursuing a degree in Public Accounting, joined an Ordinary Educational Internship in the Processes area in Neuquén. His experience has since become a turning point in the way Tecpetrol approaches inclusion in its day-to-day management.

In July 2025, a vacancy arose for an Ordinary Educational Internship in the Processes area at the Neuquén offices. As part of the selection process, the Human Resources team received the profile and recommendation of Carlos Tapia, a blind student taking a degree in Public Accounting. While the position was not originally intended to form part of an inclusion initiative, it became an opportunity to rethink certain procedures.

“Up to that point, we were used to thinking about these opportunities within the framework of the company’s +diversity initiatives. But when we looked at Carlos’s profile, it was clear he had everything needed to do the internship. So we asked ourselves: ‘How can we make this work so he can take part?’” recalls Juana Ridruejo, HRBP Analyst.

To ensure the young student could fully take part in the selection process, each stage was reviewed and the necessary adaptations were made. For example, instead of the automated video interview usually used in the process, the interview was conducted live. “Carlos stood out from the very beginning, and when the Processes area—his current team—interviewed him, they told us he was the strongest candidate. That’s when the work to make his joining Tecpetrol a reality really began,” Juana explains.

The onboarding process

Several areas worked together to make sure everything was ready for the new intern’s arrival. For example, the General Services team assessed the building to ensure the spaces were accessible and suitable, while the Systems area arranged a screen reader for his computer.

At the same time, together with Fundación Encontrarse, the company organized an awareness workshop for the Processes, Human Resources and Pad Management teams—the groups Carlos would be working with on a daily basis. The session was led by a blind facilitator, who helped participants better understand which actions and attitudes are key to building a more inclusive environment.

“A lot of people got involved because this really required coordination across different areas,” Juana recalls. “We had meetings that lasted for hours to make sure everything was in place, and there were moments when it felt overwhelming. There was so much to adapt, and since it was new for everyone, at times we thought it might not be possible. In the end, we realized that the biggest obstacle was our own fears. Things were never going to be perfect from day one, so we decided to move forward with what we had and learn along the way.”

On January 5, Carlos officially began his internship at Tecpetrol. His team includes Esteban Grassi, Pad Sr. Manager; Juan Manuel Stoessel, Pad Process Manager; and Gianfranco Listorti, Pad Process Specialist.

Carlos says he felt supported from day one. “For me, the fact that the adaptations were approached seriously and thoughtfully was already a very good sign,” he explains. “Inclusion means bringing in a person with a disability who can do the job just like anyone else. That takes time, because every situation is different and you have to learn what’s needed along the way. At the same time, I understand that things are never perfect. We adapt day by day and handle each challenge as it comes. There’s no such thing as a perfectly accessible place, but that shouldn’t stop us from taking the first step and continuing to improve as we go.”

Gianfranco recalls that one of the first changes the team made was learning to give presentations without relying so heavily on visual material, so Carlos could fully participate. “The whole team put a lot of effort into changing the way we worked, and now it’s become something very natural for us,” he says. “It gives us a great sense of satisfaction because it’s one of the inclusive practices we’ve incorporated into our day-to-day work.”

Esteban highlights that experiences like this are an important step toward opening more opportunities for people with disabilities at Tecpetrol. “The goal is for every position to be filled by the person best prepared for the role,” he says. “I’m proud of what we achieved. It’s part of a broader journey we’re on, and the important thing is to keep moving forward with steady steps.”