Santiago works at ExxonMobil

Hi Santiago, what are you doing at the moment?

I am currently working for ExxonMobil's Upstream Integrated Solutions Company in the optimization and data analytics group. 

What is a regular day like in your job?

I am currently working on a project that involves mathematical programming and software development. The project is a collaborative effort between nine people who work on my team.
A regular day usually starts with team meetings in which everyone reports the progress of their corresponding tasks. After the meeting, I usually spend time writing code and developing the software that we use in our team. After lunch I read research papers related to the project in order to stay updated about new developments that might be helpful for my project. 

Have you worked on anything else since you graduated?

I have always been interested in industrial jobs. At KTH, my master’s degree project involved collaboration with industry. Although the thesis was very technical, we implemented and tested ideas for the company Modelon using JModelica software. That experience gave me the basis for what later became other academic/industrial experiences. During my PhD at Purdue University I took three internships. The first internship was at the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, the second was also in a pharma-related company called Amgen and the last internship was with United Airlines. For all three companies I developed software tools that used optimization to improve some of their operations.

Why did you choose this programme at KTH?

I was awarded an Erasmus Mundus scholarship for the master’s programme in Computer Simulations for Science and Engineering (COSSE). The first year of the master’s programme was at University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany and the second year at KTH. Both institutions were excellent and provided me with courses that later helped me in my career.

Are there any insights or knowledge you acquired during your studies that have been particularly useful for you in your career?

People who enjoy their careers and their studies will subsequently become successful in their professional lives. The best insight I could offer is to follow what makes you passionate so that you always enjoy your work. 

What was the best aspect of your studies at KTH?

For me the best aspect of my time at KTH was that I got to learn about different cultures. During my studies I not only learned about computational engineering but also about diversity and multiculturalism. 

What is your best memory of your time at the universities?

I will always remember all the friends I made while I was at KTH. I met people from all over the world and shared amazing learning experiences.

What are your plans for the future?

I would like to lead a team to continue to advance new technologies at ExxonMobil to solve challenging energy problems.

Would you want to say to a student who was thinking of applying for this programme?

Don't miss the opportunity to study at KTH. Without doubt it will be an unforgettable experience. 

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Master's programme in Computer Simulations for Science and Engineering