During the months of March, April, and May, a total of 15 secondary schools in Galicia and Madrid hosted talks given by Altia professionals, who shared their personal and professional experience in the ICT sector with more than 500 students.
In this 4th edition, the centers have shown great interest in this initiative and have highly valued the work of the professionals who come to give the talks.
GenTech seeks to create a space for direct and relaxed conversation that allows students to ask questions and raise concerns directly with Altia professionals.
“Congratulations to the speakers for their structure, approachability, and ability to concretize.”
“It has given students a real insight into the working world in that sector.”
Source: Testimonials sent by registered centers.
Through this dynamic, the GenTech speakers share their own experiences and perspectives on science and technology, explaining what led them to pursue a STEM career. They also discuss topics such as career opportunities in STEM fields, digital training as a tool for the future, and the need to close the gender gap in the technology sector.
Alberto Ayora, Daniel Turiño, David Otero, Elvira Vegas, Fermín Grandio, María del Carmen Fernandes, María Jesús Luces, Miguel Ares, and Tomás González tell us about their experience as part of the GenTech team:
Maria del Carmen Fernandes Alvarez
“The welcome we receive from the school staff is very comforting, as is being able to talk to the students who, against all odds, pay attention and even call you ‘teacher.’ The days are as fast-paced as they are fun.”
Elvira Vegas Maganto
“GenTech has allowed me to humanize the role of a programmer locked in his cave with lots of black screens and green letters. It has also allowed me to ground myself in the sense that, although everything is technology these days, there is still a lot of misinformation about it.”
Fermín Grandío
“My experience as a GenTech volunteer has been incredibly rewarding, as it's a great opportunity to share your experience and knowledge in this field with others who are in the same situation you've been in. In my case, it was at my former high school, and the motivation was doubly satisfying. At the end of the talk, a small group approached me to ask more questions and show interest: that made the initiative worthwhile for me.”
David Otero
"I love the feeling of knowing that experience, everything I've lived and learned in this life, both professionally and personally, can help young people clarify their ideas a little and give them the motivation they need to continue working hard and pursuing their future. Then, if they choose ICT training... well, double the satisfaction!"
Alberto Ayora
“Participating in the GenTech program has been very rewarding. Showing what a company does on a day-to-day basis, to try to break stereotypes and provide a different perspective to young people, is a great opportunity to help them. The vast majority always seem very engaged during the talk and eager to learn more about this field. Some professors were even surprised by how attentive the participants were.”
María Jesús Luces
“My experience promoting technology careers has been truly inspiring. From the moment I discovered my passion for technology, I knew I wanted to share that enthusiasm with others and help open the doors to a world of endless possibilities.”
Dani Turiño
“Participating in the GenTech program allows me to showcase my industry and help new generations shape their future.”
Miguel Ares
"It's a wonderful experience to share our vision and passion for technology with younger generations. We truly demonstrate that gentech is something that transcends generations and genders."
Tomás González
"GenTech allows science students to have a future perspective on information technology. Since I've been giving these talks, students have been amazed by the different options available to them and how information technology fits into the field or area of knowledge they enjoy or would like to pursue professionally. All of this is explained in an engaging way, including video games from 40 years ago, Atari 2600 controllers, and lightsabers."
At Altia in_Action, we would like to thank all the people who participate as technology volunteers in this and other program initiatives for their time and dedication.
