internship > Experience Cristina Toma

Experience Cristina Toma

Cristina Toma

1. What motivated you to choose an internship at Gasunie?

I am a 24 year-old student currently enrolled in a double-degree master programme in International Financial Management at the University of Groningen. When I decided to study abroad, I was considering not only the quality of education but also the career opportunities I would have in the future. Even though the master programme I am following gave me the chance to study at two prestigious universities, I felt my personal development lacked practical experience. An internship within my area of expertise is a perfect starting point for my profession. Combine this with an interest into sustainability in a world that is becoming more concerned with climate change. Add the puzzling charm of a fossil fuel that is clean and mix it with a company that strives to make a difference in the gas flow of northwest Europe. Blend this with a technical business-case scenario and you will have a challenge. What drew me to Gasunie was a mixture of curiosity and will to learn more and broaden my horizons, namely the challenge to adapt to something new and have good results in a short time-frame.

2. What role did you play during your internship?

The Project Challenge 2009 was a challenge in itself. I had to investigate the issue of Footprint Reduction within Gasunie when discussing methane leakages at the level of physical links and the choice between gas-driven and electric-driven compressors. Thus, in the very beginning, I had to learn the ins and outs of a topic far from my field of study, but this gave me the great opportunity to meet and discuss with experts from both within and outside Gasunie. Going through the process of designing a research, asking the right questions, selecting the valid answers, making correct assumptions and drawing the right conclusions were crucial steps in dealing with the project. I also had to give several presentations and discuss the findings of the project with experts. This automatically implies that I had the responsibility of doing the research, a fact which always feels rewarding if done properly.

3. What did you learn about Gasunie during your internship?

In my opinion, Gasunie is a company which is flexible and open. During my internship I have contacted several Gasunie employees who were always enthusiastic, willing to share part of their time and answer my questions. From my experience, I believe personal initiatives are highly valued and thinking outside the box is precisely what the company needs. There is no such thing as a silly question, every initiative can hint to new ways of looking at situations. I now consider that the Project Challenge 2009 has challenged not only the 15 international students taking part in it, but also Gasunie itself. The information is already available in the market and in the company itself. The challenge is to combine it in a way that makes a difference.

4. Would you recommend a Gasunie internship to other students and why?

I strongly recommend an internship with Gasunie to anyone interested, no matter the nationality. It is an amazing experience, in an environment where every day brings new challenges. The programme is designed in such a way that one gets sufficient background information quickly and is then able to carry on with the project by receiving sufficient support and assistance from the supervisors. I consider that Gasunie is the ideal place for students with great aspirations.