Dreams Dashed

From a young age, Andrea had been interested in technology. But because their family did not have much money, in order to afford university, they had to work while studying to cover tuition and basic expenses. They found a job as a paid IT intern and took on side jobs fixing computers and teaching technology to make ends meet.

A self-starter, after graduation, they worked their way up and landed a position as an entry-level software developer, where they thrived for their first two years after graduation. When the company asked them to relocate to Guadalajara, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to advance their career and try living in a bigger city.

But the transition proved overwhelming in ways they did not anticipate. Moving alone to a new city while navigating a demanding new structure at work was difficult enough. But then , they suffered a significant family loss, compounding the existing stressors. Though they didn’t know it at the time, Andrea was also struggling with undiagnosed Autism, which made the transition even harder, having lost their usual support network back home. Their workplace offered little assistance with the transition, leaving Andrea to cope with unmanageable expectations at work, social isolation, and grief simultaneously.

Andrea realized they needed to take care of themself and could not continue living in a state of chronic overwhelm. They packed up their belongings and said goodbye to what had once felt like a dream job in a dream city. It was an excruciating decision that left them unemployed for months, with less confidence and clarity than before. 

Support When They Needed it Most 

Andrea heard about Generation through friends who had graduated from the program. At first they were a bit skeptical, given that they already had a degree and job experience in technology. But it proved to be a life-changing experience. 

First off, Generation offered something Andrea hadn’t expected to find. Rather than just technical training, the program provided the community and a chance to rebuild their confidence and soft skills, filling a crucial gap. “I was like, okay, I do know things. And yeah, I’m capable of doing cool stuff.” 

In addition to the soft skills curriculum, Andrea also received a rigorous introductory training in backend development, a core skillset that had been missing from their profile. 

A Fresh Start with Newfound Growth

Within a month of graduating from Generation, Andrea received various opportunities to interview for technology jobs, validation that something significant had changed about how employers were perceiving them. They eventually landed at IBM, where they had previously interviewed and been rejected multiple times, prior to Generation. 

Most significantly, they moved back to Guadalajara, the same city where they’d previously struggled, but this time with workplace accommodations and a support network in place. “I will say, it’s a very different story. I’m enjoying the city a lot.” Andrea reflects. The work itself is exciting and perfectly aligned with their hopes for their technology career: “The project is awesome, like it’s very interesting, I’m doing what I like. I have a lot of freedom to experiment with different technologies.”

What they earn now is significantly higher than in any previous technology job, creating additional ease and financial stability. They are able to support their mom financially as needed, and they also recently bought a car. 

In addition, Andrea now serves as a mentor and community builder. They joined a mentorship program for girls aged 12-18 and remain involved with Generation as an ambassador for the program. 

“I always remember where I was before Generation and where I am now. I am earning double what I made before. I don’t feel like the rent or the payments are breathing on the back of my neck. I am excited about my career, and I have a new type of freedom.”