PETRON SUMMER INTERNSHIP 2014

By: DANIELLE MARIE I. BARTEPamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

When I was a kid, I always wondered what those big white tanks doing at the back of my grandfather’s house. Growing up in Pandacan, it is impossible not to know about the Petron Pandacan Terminal. I remember asking my parents and some relatives why those men water those big tanks, and they always say: “If they get overheated, they will explode.” So since then, I was planning an escape plan in case the men in hats forget to water them, or if some terrorists attack the terminal. Kidding aside, I never thought that I will be able to work here in the future.

As a chemical engineering student, it is really a dream come true to have your internship in a big, well-established company like Petron. Even though I only got a 240-hour internship, I’ve learned a lot this summer. Petron trusted us, and gave us an opportunity to experience what it really feels like to work. Besides learning all these stuff about petroleum—their properties, their tests and their significance--I’ve realized and learned, through my experience and by observing, some things that I could carry along for life. One of the things I realized is that not being a student is harder than being one. I thought college was hard enough, but actually, work is a scale-up of college. You carry bigger responsibilities when you are part of a group, working for a boss, and doing what your company expects from you, all at the same time.

Another thing I’ve learned is the importance of proper time management. As trainees, our objective every day is to finish all the required tests in the technical section, as much as possible, before our shift ends, and avoid turn overs and re-tests. Like from what I’ve observed in the lubes section, they really have a time limit for their tests. An advice I got from one of the analysts: We should be able to work under pressure.

Most of the things I learned were from the people I’ve been with during the course of my training. I admire the analysts for being able to maintain composure despite some stressful days at the laboratory. I never heard them complain even once. They are all very smart people, but are still very down-to-earth, fun and are very patient. I and my co-trainees ask them a lot of questions and made mistakes but they were able to handle us very well. I am also glad to meet my co-trainees who also became my friends over time.

I am very happy and fortunate to have my internship at Petron. Now, whenever I see those big white tanks, instead of the escape plan I had in mind when I was a kid, I remember the things I learned, the experiences that I am proud of, and the people who work near tank 306.

Thank you, Petron!