| FACTS ABOUT MARIA RENÉE | |
|---|---|
| Started in Wärtsilä: | In 2000 as an Office Assistant |
| Position now: | Human Resources Coordinator |
| Country of Residence: | Guatemala |
| Nationality: | Guatemalan |
| Education: | Bachelor of HR administration |
What is your typical day like at Wärtsilä?
“As a Human Resources Coordinator I take care of employee’s payroll, vacation handling, safety follow-up, benefits, etc. Most of the time I am the channel between employees and the company.”
How did you start your career at Wärtsilä?
“When I started my working career I was a secretary. After having worked in several assistant positions in different companies, I was informed that there was an opening in a 'very small company in Guatemala called Wärtsilä'. Initially, I was attracted by the fact that the interview was in English. I grew up in New York so getting a chance to practice my English skills seemed like a good opportunity. I took the job. At the time Wärtsilä Guatemala was really a small company. I only had two colleagues and my boss. None of them were at the office much as they were all the time visiting customers. Since then it has been a great experience to see the office grow. I myself have grown too along the way.”
How has your job evolved since then?
“After having started here as an Office Assistant I soon felt the urge to study business administration. It was during those studies that I finally found my interest in human resource administration. Now I’m two seminars short of finishing my university diploma.”
Any special memories that you would like to share?
“During my 12 years here I have gotten a chance to try out many different things. I think my biggest challenge was becoming an Account Manager for Panamá, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Honduras. That meant a lot of travelling and also that I was the first contact to our power plant customers. I still get birthday cards from some of the managers I worked with at the time, so I guess I left a good impression.”
What is it like working for Wärtsilä?
“I think Wärtsilä is an open minded company where your knowledge, experience and attitude matter more than your title. It is also a company that worries about its employees and tries to keep you motivated. For example, when I became a mother and needed more time with my family, my supervisor helped me find a more suitable position.”
What do you value the most at Wärtsilä?
“Every opportunity Wärtsilä has given me has been an enormous opportunity for me to learn. It’s a nice and respectful community where everyone takes care of each other. It is because of Wärtsilä that I am now a Human Resource administrator. And Wärtsilä also offers me the chance to grow as a human resources expert.“
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