The new program supports university students in fields relevant to the development of Vaca Muerta, combining communication skills, mentoring from Tecpetrol professionals, and opportunities to gain work experience with the company.

The Tecpetrol Inspiring Program (TIP) was created to go beyond financial support and provide students with guidance throughout their university years. The initiative works with Roberto Rocca Scholarship recipients from the early stages of their studies through to their first steps into professional life.

 “The program grew out of something we were seeing both in CORE (Community Relations) and Talent Attraction: many students needed more than financial support to stay on track at university and make the most of their potential,” says Andrea Fernández, CORE Manager.

A buddy to help navigate the way

To support students through the early years of university, TIP pairs them with a “buddy”: a Tecpetrol professional who studied the same degree at the same university and can offer practical advice based on firsthand experience. “It’s someone who can guide them, answer questions, and show them what a career in the industry can look like,” explains Felipe Harriague Castex, Talent Attraction Manager. Buddies help with the practical questions that often arise at university, from which subjects to take first, to which are the best teachers at different stages of the degree.

Guillermo Villegas, Pad Operation Manager, is one of the program’s buddies. “I started out as an intern myself, so being able to give something back now as a professional is very motivating. I also feel a real sense of responsibility because of the difference that can make to someone. What I’d most like to pass on is the confidence to ask questions, try things out and make mistakes, knowing there is someone there to help you along the way.”

Harriague adds: “The aim is to help students progress through their degrees and, once they reach the right stage academically, give them the opportunity to complete an internship at Tecpetrol. That experience can bring together everything they’ve been learning along the way. The program doesn’t stop at university; it is designed to help students make a real transition into professional life.”

Pilot test focused on key degree programs

The first edition of the Tecpetrol Inspiring Program launched in July 2026 with a pilot group of eight Roberto Rocca Scholarship recipients studying Petroleum, Chemical, Electronic, and Mechanical Engineering degree courses. In addition to maintaining strong academic performance in demanding circumstances, participants completed assessments in mathematics, verbal reasoning, logic, and interpersonal skills.

 To further develop those skills, second-year students also take part in the Ambassadors Program, which provides training in communication, public speaking, and storytelling.

In their own words

Thiara Muñoz, a Petroleum Engineering student at the National University of Comahue (UNCo), reflects on how her outlook has changed: “When I started university, my main concern was passing my exams. Now, in my second year, I’ve realized that professional growth is also about the support you receive and the connections you build along the way. My buddy, Guillermo Villegas, has been a big part of that. He really listens, shares his own experience, and gives me that extra push when exams get tough. Having that support has given me a lot more confidence.”

Federico Napal, also a Petroleum Engineering student at UNCo, points to a similar change: “Being part of the program has opened up opportunities for me in the industry, but it has also helped me grow personally. The biggest change this year has been gaining the confidence to talk to people, get involved, and put myself forward without feeling so self-conscious.”