Developing skills and creating impact as a trainee

Who are you and what have you studied?

“My name is Dennis Ocampo Guevara, and I have a master’s degree in electrical and mechanical engineering from the University of Strathclyde in Scotland. I am currently working in the Sales Department at Valmet in Zaragoza, Spain, where I support the Spare Parts team for the Iberia region.”

What made you apply to Valmet’s SEMEA Trainee Program?

“Working for a global company has always been a personal goal of mine. I find it inspiring to collaborate with talented, like-minded individuals from around the world. Having lived in several countries, I have come to value the richness of diverse perspectives and how people from different cultures approach the same challenges in completely unique ways. When used effectively, this kind of variety is a real strength.

What attracted me to SEMEA Trainee Program was its combination of technical and interpersonal development. While I come from a technical background in engineering, my experiences of living in different countries, studying abroad, and working with people from diverse backgrounds have helped me develop strong communication and people skills. Although I had not worked directly with clients before joining Valmet, I have always felt drawn to roles where I could combine technical knowledge with human connection. That is why this program felt like the perfect fit as it offered the opportunity to grow my understanding of Valmet’s technologies while building direct relationships with clients from day one.”

What are your main responsibilities/days like?

“My main responsibility is to map Valmet’s installed base across the Iberia region and use that information to create tailored service and spare parts packages for our clients. This allows us to better understand the market and make our proposals — especially around annual shutdowns —more relevant and effective.”

What kind of challenges and successes have you experienced so far?​

"Starting any new role comes with the challenge of getting to know your team and learning how they work individually and together. In this regard, I have been incredibly lucky. I could not have asked for a better team or a more supportive mentor. In just my second week, I had the opportunity to travel to a customer site in Asturias to see a mill in operation and gain first-hand insight into the industry.

Another key challenge has been familiarizing myself with our equipment, services, and internal processes. To bridge that knowledge gap, I have taken part in client visits, internal presentations, and Valmet’s e-learning courses. Valmet truly offers an abundance of resources to learn and grow and for someone like me, who is passionate about continuous learning, that has been a huge plus.

As for successes, I am proud of the contributions I have made to my team so far. The installed base document I have been developing, with help from my colleagues, is already being used to support client discussions and focus our sales efforts. I have also followed up on technical inquiries from clients and worked with the team to provide solutions, some of which have led to new equipment sales and helped strengthen our client relationships.

I have joined strategy meetings with the technical units in Finland and Sweden, where my installed base work has supported decision-making around key accounts. Recently, I also attended my first annual shutdown at a client site, where I supported our Wash Press Technician on-site and contributed to the post-service report shared with the client. It was a great hands-on experience and a major milestone for me in the program.”

Is there something else you want to share about your trainee experience?

“I want to highlight how supportive my colleagues and mentor have been. They have encouraged me to take on new challenges and welcomed my ideas during meetings. Feeling heard and valued makes a huge difference when you are growing professionally, and I am genuinely grateful to be part of a team and a company that fosters that kind of environment!”