Carlos Eduardo: “Young talent cultivates new ideas and offers innovative solutions to transform society”

This is according to Carlos Eduardo Castro, Process Supervisor in the Operations area of MAPFRE Colombia, who joined the company ten years ago. After one year in the internship program, he became a process analyst and has been part of the area's management for five years. Today we talk to him about the importance of promoting a diverse workplace in which young talent develops and grows professionally.

You joined MAPFRE through the internship program and are currently the Process Supervisor in the Operations area. How did you live MAPFRE's commitment to young talent?

During my time as a student, I was always attracted to the company's corporate culture and its international presence. These aspects led me to apply to the MAPFRE internship program. I took my first steps in the professional field in the Processes area in 2015, where I trained and actively participated in the design of new models and work methodologies. Thanks to the company's various development and career plans, a year later, I was promoted to Process Analyst and later took on the responsibility of leading the area. Over the last ten years, I have had the opportunity to learn about different areas and work with multidisciplinary teams that have played a fundamental role in my professional development. Ultimately, I have grown in an inclusive, dynamic, and collaborative work environment that has leveraged all the young talent available in the organization.

What were the greatest challenges when you started to lead the area?

The first challenge was to understand the day-to-day functioning of the role, taking on the task of maintaining close ties with the operational teams that support us in the transformation of the area, which underwent a change in its organizational structure. When I started to lead the team, we had a problem with the perception of intermediary client users, so the challenge was to change and transform that perception. The adaptation to this new responsibility was manageable thanks to the joint work of all the experts on our team, who have been fundamental to the various advancements and improvements through their commitment to proposing innovative and transformational projects.

MAPFRE shows its commitment to young talent through the MAPFRE Grow with Us Intern Plan. What was your experience with this program like?

Since I joined the training program, the company has given me the opportunity to apply all my knowledge to create value for the business while also investing in my growth by providing a mentorship program to help me develop new skills. My supervisor at that time played a fundamental role in introducing me to the world of work and, in short, to the company. Another advantage offered by the MAPFRE training plan is that, as new trends in the sector make their way, they provide employees with specialized courses of various kinds, from training on environmental quality to guaranteeing the protection of devices against cyberattacks, among many others.

What would you highlight from the training offered by MAPFRE to young talent?

Both young talent and the rest of the people in the company have the opportunity to continue exploring topics we find interesting to complement our training and experience. For example, if we identify a tool that could be useful for our job performance, we have the option to escalate these requests to area managers and the Human Resources department to receive training in new work tools. Continuous learning is a key attitude to renewing and acquiring new skills that drive us to be more competitive.

Five different generations coexist at MAPFRE, and this enriches intergenerational exchange, knowledge transfer, and values. How would you describe your experience working with senior talent?

Having multidisciplinary and intergenerational teams that provide their experience has a direct and positive impact on productivity levels. Senior talent is essential to improving our competitiveness in the market, while young talent cultivates new ideas and offers innovative solutions to transform society. The contribution of senior knowledge allows us to learn more about the company's culture and learn from its experience. One of MAPFRE's strengths is that all employees have the ability to transform and adapt, positively embracing internal changes.

What advice or learnings would you offer to young talent at MAPFRE?

The key that all young talent should bear in mind is to find themselves comfortable with what they do in their day-to-day lives, whether in the personal or work environment. At the same time, it is important to recognize that while university provides the necessary technical knowledge, it is the daily work experience that truly enables you to offer solutions to problems and understand how to navigate relationships within the company. Continuing to learn and adapt to change is essential, but it is equally important to focus on how to manage professional relationships with both colleagues and customers.

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