From a Small Town to a Career in Tech

Miguel grew up in Sibarco, a small town in Colombia’s Atlántico department with fewer than two thousand residents. Resources were limited. At his school, there were often basic shortages, sometimes even running water, and computers or internet access were rarely available.

“My mother is a homemaker, and my father works for a private security company,” Miguel shared. “We survived on a minimum wage. My parents made great sacrifices just to pay the bills and put food on the table.”

From an early age, Miguel understood that access to higher education would be difficult. Still, he was determined to find a way forward.

A Missed Opportunity

Miguel focused his efforts on Colombia’s national high school exam, the Saber 11, where top scores can earn full scholarships to leading universities.

Preparing for the exam meant overcoming major barriers. After winning a local math competition, Miguel received a basic tablet that allowed him to study online. During the pandemic, when his school could not offer classes due to connectivity challenges, he studied entirely on his own.

“I studied independently from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. every day,” he said. “My future depended on my performance.”

His dedication paid off. Miguel scored 472 out of 500, ranking first among public school students in the Atlántico department. The result earned him admission to Universidad del Norte, one of Colombia’s top private universities.

But just as things were going well, Miguel faced a severe health crisis that forced him to pause his studies and lose his scholarship.

“After so much sacrifice, I felt like I had lost my only opportunity to move forward,” he said.

A New Path Forward

After recovering and moving to Bogotá, Miguel began searching for ways to rebuild his future. That’s when he discovered Generation Colombia’s Full Stack Development program.

“What caught my attention were the statistics showing how many graduates find jobs after completing the program,” he said.

During the intensive 14-week program, Miguel built technical skills in programming along with the professional and behavioral skills needed to succeed in the workplace. Generation also helped remove barriers by providing a laptop and support for internet access.

The employability team and his mentor guided him through the job search, sharing opportunities and helping him prepare for interviews.

Building a New Future

Today, Miguel works as a Web Developer, building applications using technologies such as Python, Django, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.

“Today I have the skills to fight for the future I want,” he said. “I am no longer a burden to my family, I can now support them financially.”

For Miguel, the opportunity to gain in-demand skills has transformed what once felt impossible into a new beginning.

“Talent alone is never enough, everyone needs an opportunity,” he said. “Sometimes giving someone a chance is all it takes to change a life.”