José Antonio | Spain
From Adversity to Opportunity
José Antonio is an energetic and curious young man who has always faced challenges with determination. Raised in Alcalá de Henares, near Madrid, he had to make a tough choice at 16 years old, leaving school to help support his family when economic hardship struck their household.
“My first job was loading trucks with firewood, coal, and straw,” José Antonio remembers. “I used to start around 5 in the morning, and some days I wouldn’t finish until 10 at night.”
The road ahead wasn’t easy. A delivery job in the chemical industry involved physically demanding tasks and work hours that far exceeded what his contract stipulated. But José Antonio didn’t give up, he continued working, and, in addition, by the age of 19, he had completed his secondary education.
Over the next few years, José Antonio worked in several industries, from a pizzeria to a major retail company, and later in corporate catering after earning a culinary arts degree. Though he gained valuable knowledge and experience, he found himself stuck in a cycle of temporary contracts with little chance to advance.
When COVID-19 hit, José Antonio lost his job in catering and spent a year unemployed, as the industry, like so many others, was severely affected.
A Turning Point
“After the COVID-19 pandemic eased, I went back to working in the chemical industry for about two years,” José explains. “But I soon realized there wasn’t much of a future for me there. No real chances to grow, limited opportunities to move up, and the hours just didn’t work for my life anymore.”
José Antonio had always liked technology. “I’ve always been a bit of a computer geek. Ever since I was 15 or 16, I used to set up my friends’ computers,” he shared. The moment he realized he wanted to make a change came when a personal contact asked him to help set up a network for an office with around 100 computers, something he managed alongside his regular job. ‘After helping build that network, and realizing how much I liked the sector, I started to see that tech work was much closer to what I really wanted and needed in my life.‘”
This insight led José Antonio to apply and join Generation Spain’s Cloud Computing course, offered through the European Union’s Garantía Juvenil program. Even without previous programming experience, he saw a chance to build on his interest in computers and networks.
Embracing Transformation
The Generation program, and specifically the mentorship support, helped José Antonio change his career path. “My mentors were great. One of them had this way of teaching – when she spoke, you couldn’t help but pay attention. I learned so much about how to tell my own story and handle different work situations.”
José Antonio put everything into his training: “I tried to apply everything I was learning right away. I worked on my growth mindset, reached out to recruiters, built my network, and made my LinkedIn profile much better.”
His hard dedication paid off quickly. Just two months after finishing the program, José landed a job with Crayon as a Key Account Manager – a position that combined sales responsibilities with technical knowledge, using both his new skills and his natural ability to communicate with people.
The Ripple Effect of Opportunity
Two years later, José continues to thrive. He has earned new certifications, received a promotion, and enjoys the flexible, hybrid work arrangement that allows him to balance his professional growth with quality family time.
“Things are going well at work, and this year looks promising. My company sees what I bring to the table. Because of that, I have better working conditions and the flexibility I need to spend time with my daughter, who brings me so much joy and has endless energy.”
The impact extends beyond José himself, “My wife experienced a period of unemployment, but thanks to my job, we were in a good place and things were okay. I was able to support my family and cover all our needs while continuing to thrive,” he added.
Giving Back
Now José Antonio volunteers with Generation, sharing his experience with new learners and participating in the Alumni Committee. By helping others find their own path, he’s passing on the support that changed his own life.
From working tough physical jobs with limited futures to building a rewarding career in tech, José Antonio’s story shows how determination combined with the right opportunity can change everything “I feel much more secure now,” he reflects. “I know I have the skills to find work when I need it,” he said.
