Bruna Maia Santana
Please tell us a few words about yourself and your career path
My name is Bruna Maia Santana, I am from Brazil, Brumadinho (MG). In 2021, I graduated in Mining Engineering from the Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto in Brazil. I was also at the Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria, as an exchange student. I have experience in the areas of R&D, Management, and Sales.
I joined RHI Magnesita as a Global Trainee (Sales area) in 2022 in India, West Asia and Africa. During my first year of the Program, I focused on the implementation of digital solutions and increasing profitability of one contract. Right now, I am doing a cross-country rotation.
Why exactly did you apply?
When I came across the RHI Magnesita Global Trainee Program in Dubai, I saw this as a chance to build an international career, get to know a different culture, learn more from diversity, and develop my leadership potential.
What’s been your most exciting project to date?
It`s been a project of merging Hi-Tech and Dalmia to our facilities in India, where I represent the Sales area. Last January, I moved to Gurgaon, India, to be with the integration team. The environment is really dynamic here, and my daily activities vary: I interface with RHI Magnesita regional teams as well as with people from Dalmia and Hi-tech; I conduct marketing research, prepare materials for analyses and presentations; I organize workshops and training sessions; I take care of certain management tools; I also lead our daily and weekly meetings, in which we use the ABCD format (Achieved, Benefits, Concerns and Do Next).
What’s the most unexpected skill you’ve gained at RHI Magnesita?
To be agile and adapt faster. To think in different routes. To be more solution oriented.
Any advice to people who consider applying?
Think what exactly you want to learn from the Program. You can also talk to people who work/worked in the company to learn more about the daily life at RHI Magnesita, to decide if the position makes sense for you. Feel free to reach out to me!
Prepare a pitch about yourself and your experience. Then, present it to someone you trust and ask for feedback. Do it again and again :)
It’s also worth mentioning that the program is very flexible. You can learn something new in the areas outside of your initial scope. For example, I am a Sales Trainee, but this semester, I want to learn more about Project Management, and I have found support and opportunities towards it.