From intern to geologist at Tecpetrol: the story of Belén Doce and her award-winning thesis

Recognized for the best final project in UBA's Geology degree program, the young professional credits Tecpetrol's flexible work environment and the support of her team with helping her complete her studies.

Belén Doce, a member of the VIED JP Pool, joined Tecpetrol as an intern while completing her final thesis. For her, combining the two experiences proved key to the outcome.

Her work was recognized in 2025 with the University of Buenos Aires award for Best Final Project in the Geology degree program. For her thesis, Doce developed a flood-risk map for the Medrano Stream basin, assessing the likelihood of flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. The Medrano is an underground watercourse that rises in Buenos Aires Province, crosses the City of Buenos Aires, and flows into the Río de la Plata.

"At first glance, my thesis topic and my work at Tecpetrol might seem completely unrelated, but they are actually closely connected. The way I learned to approach problems in my day-to-day work at the company was something I could apply directly to my research. I also learned specific techniques, such as spatial analysis methods, which I later used in my thesis," she recalls.

Work flexibility and technical mentoring

Doce also highlights how important the flexibility of a part-time role was while she was finishing her degree. "If I'd had to work full-time, I would have had to be much less ambitious with my thesis topic. My managers let me organize my 20-hour working week around my university commitments. Without that flexibility, I don't think I could have produced work of the same quality," she says.

She also points to the support she received from colleagues who understood how demanding the final stages of a degree can be. "Geology theses are very long and have to be completed individually. Mine was 160 pages, and it took me a full year! Then, when I submitted it, I ran into some administrative issues, which added even more stress. There are moments when you start to lose heart, but I was surrounded by people who had been through the same thing and encouraged me to keep going until I graduated. I felt very supported."