Franchesca Renzullo left Venezuela in 2017 and found, in the Young Professionals program, a space to grow as an engineer and build bonds she now considers family. A story about the paths energy opens up for new generations.

Originally from Venezuela and trained as a mechanical engineer, Franchesca Renzullo arrived in Argentina in 2017. Shortly afterward, she joined the company through the Young Professionals program. Today, she is Plant Operations Manager at Los Toldos II Este, and she highlights how the company gave her the space to grow professionally while building friendships that have become like family.

Franchesca’s journey has been shaped by her ability to adapt to new challenges. Now 31, she smiles as she looks back on her first steps in Argentina. Just as she quickly embraced mate and asado, she also adapted to the 14x14 rotational work schedule at Fortín de Piedra and later settled permanently in Neuquén. As she speaks, she gestures with her hands, as if mentally organizing each stage of her life.

“Today, I’m responsible for managing and planning operations for the future processing plant,” she says, her eyes reflecting a mix of pride and enthusiasm.

You trained as a mechanical engineer: how did you get into the energy sector?

I studied at the Central University of Venezuela and began my career at a company in Caracas that specialized in air conditioning and industrial refrigeration equipment. When I arrived in Argentina, my first job was with a YPF contractor that provided services in the construction sector in La Plata. Later on, I applied through Techint Careers and was invited to join Tecpetrol as a Young Professional in the PAD area, which at the time was just taking shape.

It was an intense period at Fortín de Piedra. Several drilling rigs, fracturing units, and coiled tubing crews were operating at the same time. The PAD area was created to monitor all these teams, reduce downtime between operations, and bring an external perspective that could help identify opportunities for improvement.

What was that first stage like at Tecpetrol?

I joined as part of a group of 20 Young Professionals assigned to the area. Even though the move to Neuquén meant working a 14x14 schedule, I was really motivated by the chance to work at a company like Tecpetrol. At the time, my family was still in Venezuela and my brother was living in Germany, so I didn’t have any ties holding me back. I enjoyed the experience, made great friends, and always made the most of my days off, whether it was training or meeting up with friends in La Plata.

How was your adaptation to life in Neuquén?

Very positive. I really like the province, especially because of the outdoor activities and sports it offers. Over time, I built a strong group of friends, and we now spend birthdays, holidays, and even New Year’s Eve together. Today, I can honestly say I’ve found a family in Neuquén.

Which was the biggest challenge for you: the labor system or the changes as the sector took shape?

The real challenge was finding ways to add value in a new area within an operation that was already running smoothly. The learning curve was steep, but personal relationships played a major role both in my professional growth and in feeling truly at home at work.

How would you describe your day-to-day life at the site?

My day-to-day routine is very different from being in an office. I’m the plant manager at Los Toldos II Este, and even though the plant isn’t operational yet, I really enjoy being out on site. It’s a unique environment: you can clear your head by walking the facilities and then come back with renewed energy. And because it’s less crowded than an office, we’re constantly interacting with one another, which makes it easier to solve specific issues together.

What are your current responsibilities at Los Toldos II Este?

During this engineering and construction phase, I work closely with the O&M team to plan and track the schedule for the next 18 months. That includes building the future operations team, adapting systems for when the plant goes live, preparing all the necessary operational documentation, and making sure we’re ready to begin commissioning the new facilities on time and in the right way. We’re also working to integrate this new development with the existing systems.

I really enjoy this planning stage. It’s like watching a project come to life! You design a plan, follow it step by step, and adjust as new challenges come up. For me, it’s also a personal challenge, because I spent a long time focused on operations, and now I’m much more involved in management.

How did you get through the pandemic?

I was working in the Processes area, based at Tecpetrol’s office across from the airport. I spent about 70% of that time working from home. It was a unique experience: I shared those months with other young professionals who lived in the same building, and we supported each other a lot. Staying in touch with my family through video calls also became a big part of my routine. All in all, I managed that period quite well.

What does it mean to be a Young Professional at Tecpetrol?

I think being a Young Professional is a bit like forming a family, because the level of integration is so intense. In every area where I worked as a YP, I learned a huge amount, with a very fast learning curve. I never ran into issues with people holding back information, which was something that happened to me in other jobs. And it also gives you the chance to grow quickly, because you’re given space to take on real responsibilities from the start.

How do you rate the company's work on diversity?

Personally, I’ve always felt comfortable and respected. I joined alongside several other female colleagues, and today you can clearly see that there are more women working in areas that were once predominantly male. Tecpetrol is putting a lot of effort into this, with many programs dedicated to diversity and inclusion. When I started studying Mechanical Engineering, there were only two women in the entire program; by the time I graduated, that number had grown by 20%. That same change is now visible across the industry.

What is your perspective on sustainability in the energy industry and at Tecpetrol?

In recent years, sustainability has stopped being just an Environment issue and has become a priority shared by everyone. Today, campaigns and initiatives actively involve operational teams, encouraging them to suggest improvements within our facilities. Environmental awareness is becoming more visible every day, especially among younger generations.

At Tecpetrol, we’re seeing improvements being made to infrastructure, such as installing solar panels on warehouses. And in new projects, including the plant currently under construction, environmental considerations are built in from the very start.

What do you think of the feedback processes?

I’ve never received strongly negative feedback. I’m very self-critical, and I regularly check in to make sure expectations are aligned. I started out as a Supervisor, then moved into a Plant Engineer role, and later had the opportunity to become Plant Manager. We went from a small plant processing 300 m³ of gas per day to one handling 1,000 m³. We brought it into operation, and now I’m responsible for a plant that will process up to 11,000 m³ per day.

And what’s your experience of giving feedback?

It always makes me a bit nervous. I try to give people ongoing feedback, not just in the final stages of the process.

You participated in the Reverse Mentoring program. What did you take away from it?

I had the opportunity to work with María Martha Rabasedas, Communications Director, and I learned a great deal from the experience. It’s a very positive initiative: a space that lets you connect with people who have an impressive track record, and where active listening is genuinely encouraged on both sides.

What does leadership mean to you and who were your role models?

For me, leadership is about accompaniment: setting clear goals, offering guidance, and giving people the freedom to find their own way. My reference in that sense is Pedro De Diego, NextGen Energy Operations Sr. Director. As a leader, he helped me grow by recognizing both my strengths and my areas for improvement, supporting my development not only professionally but personally as well. I was quite an introvert, and he knew how to put me in challenging situations, always by my side, until I gained the confidence to stand on my own.

How did you experience your cultural adaptation in Argentina?

Argentine culture can feel very intense at first. There’s the asado, the mate, and the football match—all at once! Argentines really know how to bring people in; everything feels more informal and closer. At the beginning, I found it hard to greet people with a kiss, and sometimes it even felt like I was coming across as distant. But over time, I learned and now it feels completely natural.

Finally, what advice would you give to a young professional coming from abroad and arriving in Neuquén for the first time to start their career at Tecpetrol?

I’d tell them to open to constant change and willing to integrate. Work matters, as we have goals to meet and responsibilities to fulfill, but being part of a team and building meaningful friendships makes the journey even richer.

The interview comes to an end, and Franchesca smiles with the calm confidence of someone who knows there’s still so much ahead to build. Outside, Neuquén awaits her with its fresh mountain air and the friendships she has chosen as family. In her story, shaped by shared mate, intense workdays, and new challenges, one thing is clear: the Young Professionals program has given her more than a career: it’s given her a home.