“My disability does not define my capacity.”
For several years, Penspen has been a proud supporter of Youth Building the Future, a program established by the Government of Mexico’s Ministry of Labor and Social Security to offer young people key opportunities and support that promote social inclusion and improve employment prospects. We have invested in the growth and development of 15 participants to-date, with several candidates now working in permanent roles and making a difference in the world of energy.
One person hoping to make a difference is Valeria Mendez Gomez. As an active young woman, mid-way through her studies with her sights set on a career in energy, she suddenly faced an uncertain future following a serious accident.
“Life sometimes has unexpected ways of testing us.”
At 21-years old, Valeria Mendez Gomez was like many students. She lived an active lifestyle, was planning for her future and working hard at university, where she was studying for a bachelor’s degree in Nanotechnology Engineering. Then life changed overnight. On the way home from laboratory practice at university, she was hit by a drunk driver.
Like every young person, I thought I had all the time in the world to fulfil my plans, but life sometimes has unexpected ways of testing us. The accident split my life in two – the before and the after. As a result of the injuries, the doctors had to amputate my leg,” said Valeria.
“The news was devastating, and it forced me to rethink everything: from how to walk to how to my future dreams, and a new reality – living with a disability in a world that is not always prepared to include us.”
Valeria went through a gruelling recovery, learning to use a prosthesis. The physical recovery was only one part of the process though, and as Valeria faced her new future, she encountered a host of new challenges.
“The hardest part was the emotional adjustment. I had to rebuild my self-esteem, take care of my mental health and learn to face the fears and traumas that arose from the accident. Would I be capable of enough to live a normal life?” she said.
“With hard work, I realised change can be good. Adapting doesn’t mean giving up, it means growing up. It wasn’t easy, but each small achievement gave me the strength to keep going.”
“For me, searching for a job wasn’t just a matter of sending out CVs. It was facing prejudice, physical and emotional barriers.”
Completing her degree was a major milestone for Valeria. But has her friends graduated and moved into the working world, she realised there were more challenges ahead.
“I knew getting a job after graduation could be difficult, never mind with a disability, but I made up my mind to stay positive and take the plunge and apply for my dream roles,” she said.
“For me, searching for a job wasn’t just a matter of sending out CVs. It was facing prejudice, physical and emotional barriers, and proving again and again that my value goes far beyond a physical condition. I encountered so many companies that did not have inclusive recruitment processes. In many interviews I was told that I was an ideal candidate, but as soon as I mentioned my disability or was asked about the use of my prosthesis, everything changed. I heard many times that ‘the vacancy was already occupied’ or that ‘they did not have adequate facilities”.
She added: “We live in the 21st century, where there is so much talk about inclusion. Many companies in Mexico promote themselves as ‘inclusive employers’, but the reality of applying for work as a disabled person showed that often this is nothing more than a slogan on their website. Each job rejection hurt more than the previous one, and I was terrified that I would not achieve one of the goals I had set for myself when I graduated: to get a good job and pursue my career dreams.”
As two years passed with no positions coming to fruition, Valeria’s initial anxiety turned to anger.
“I knew that the problem was not me. Why be afraid of something that is part of me? I realised that it was not my fault, but rather it was the fault of a system that is not yet ready to value diversity. My disability does not define my capacity.”
“Here, my disability is not what stands out.”
Valeria applied for a role at Penspen in the Human Resources team, and though unsuccessful, a call with Operations Director, Gustavo Romero, provided the reassurance she so desperately needed to hear.
“When I told the contact at Penspen about my condition, he said something I will never forget: ‘Your disability is not a limitation for anyone’. With those words, he gave me what I had been waiting for: a chance. An opportunity to prove to myself that I am more than a disability. That I have a lot to offer,” said Valeria.
He encouraged Valeria to apply for Youth Building the Future, a program designed by the Government of Mexico to offer young people key opportunities and support that promote social inclusion and improve employment prospects.
“That call that not only gave me hope, but also a new vision of the future. This time it was different; the person on the other side of the phone not only listened to me but also believed in me. He saw beyond my prosthesis and valued my attitude, my willingness to move forward and my desire to learn, even with little experience.”
Valeria joined Penspen’s office in Villahermosa, Mexico, in a multifunctional role within our integrity service line, actively collaborating with the Risk-Based Inspection team, providing administrative support for the Peru office and participating in current projects.
“From day one at Penspen I have been treated with respect, dignity and professionalism. The company is shaping the future of energy, and I play my part in that, which is extremely fulfilling. Here, my disability is not what stands out. What really matters is my knowledge, my commitment, my responsibility and my ability to contribute,” she said.
“These people made a huge difference in my life. They reminded me that there are spaces where you can grow, learn and contribute without having to hide who you are. They gave me back my confidence, not only in the world of work, but in myself.
“Today I can proudly say that I am a person with a disability and I am an engineer. And I say this without fear, without shame, and with my head held high. Because for a long time I felt afraid of being judged, rejected or underestimated, but now I understand that my past is part of what makes me strong.
“What defines me is my effort, my perseverance and my desire to keep going, even when the road seems impossible.
The experiences that have shaped Valeria mean she is passionate about supporting others who face the same challenges she encountered.
“Before the accident, I was an active person with dreams, goals and a clear vision of what I wanted to achieve. Today I understand that my value does not depend on a physical condition, but on how I face life, how I get up after every fall, and how I move forward with determination and hope,” she said.
“I make the most of every moment. In my spare time, I like to get out and walk anywhere because there was a time I couldn’t. I also like to dance a lot; I manage it well with my prosthesis. My big goal is to relearn how to ride a bike. I know it might be a bit difficult, but it is not impossible.
Her experience at Penspen has inspired Valeria to follow a career in integrity engineering.
“I aspire to become a senior engineer and aim to obtain a master’s degree, and later a PhD in Integrity Engineering. My disability does not define what I can achieve – what defines me is my effort, my perseverance and my desire to keep going, even when the road seems impossible.
“I want others to know that they are not alone. I believe we all have a responsibility to challenge companies, institutions, and society in general and prove that inclusion is not a ‘nice to have’, it is a right. It’s never been about ‘accepting’ people with disabilities, it is about recognising their talent, their effort and their humanity. We all deserve a chance to prove ourselves.”
- Could you join Valeria in helping us engineer the future of energy? We’re hiring in all of our regions – view our current vacancies here.
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