Meet Mariana Castillo Sosa | Her father showed her how to fly and now she is soaring at Nutrien

Published: Sep 25, 2023

Mariana grew up in Guatemala. Her natural aptitude for mathematics and her father’s job as a pilot sparked her interest in mechatronics, a technology combining electronics with mechanical engineering. After receiving a scholarship for an exchange term at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, she decided to stay. She completed her studies in electrical engineering and she ended up working in a Potash mine for Nutrien.

Learn more about her life journey so far, and what she likes best about working for Nutrien.

After finishing your exchange term, how did you come to the decision to stay in Canada?

It was a hard decision that I made with the support of my parents and siblings. They did everything they could to help me, and it is something that I value most about Latin culture – strong family support and values.

How did you begin working for Nutrien?

Living in the community, I noticed how the company supports local organizations. Then, as I was building my friend network, I began to hear stories from people who work at Nutrien and how they support diverse hiring, saw the WiNTER (Women in Non-Traditional Environments and Roles) video online, and read the stories posted on Nutrien’s social media. Then when I saw an opening for an electrical engineer, I applied and was hired. I have now been with the company for a year and a half.

What do you like most about your job?

I like Nutrien’s values, where safety is first and foremost. Everyone takes care of each other in this way.

I also love a challenge, and my job allows me to work on projects with unique problems to solve and new things to “fix” to improve our results. One of my favorite types of projects is when I can take a manual process and work to automate it to take my colleagues out of potentially hazardous situations to make their work safer and more efficient.

Another way that we make the workplace safe is through our Inclusion value. I am part of the WiNTER K (Women in Non-Traditional Environments and Roles in the Potash business unit) Employee Resource Group (ERG), where I find support and participate in personal development.

One of my favorite parts is sharing my knowledge with interns because I enjoy teaching what I know, inspiring students, and then seeing them apply what they have learned.

What advice can you give someone starting out in this industry?

Be confident in what you know, be true to yourself, and don’t be afraid to ask questions to learn more from those already in the industry. People are happy to help. Don’t be afraid to be curious.

There are new things to learn every day and so many fields within electrical engineering to explore, and there is room for everyone to grow. Keep open to all possibilities.

What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

I love dancing to Latin music. I have been dancing Flamenco since I was three years old and recently started learning Salsa. My teacher keeps reminding me that my husband of three years, Dylan, is supposed to lead, but I might have more rhythm. I also enjoy spending time with my dogs, Jude the Aussie doodle and Leo the Shih Tzu.

What do you see as being possible in the future?

I want to continue to grow professionally, become a leader, mentor the younger generation, and promote these non-traditional fields for women and diverse people. I am pursuing a graduate degree in electrical engineering, and I rely on the lessons from my culture to work hard and give my best to achieve my dreams. Of course, I could not do any of this without the support of my family. It is important to me to make them proud.

I look forward to continuing to connect with the Latin community at Nutrien and where I live. I love that energy and warmth you feel when you run into a Latin and share culture.