From first steps to a career in technology

July 15, 2026

Every career in technology is built by developing skills, gaining confidence and finding opportunities to grow. At Telefónica Tech, we support that journey through initiatives that help young talent build those capabilities and take their first professional steps, while also shining a spotlight on female role models in a sector where there is still progress to be made.

That commitment is also reflected in the figures: since 2024, one in four interns has joined the company as employee, highlighting the value of internships as a springboard to a professional career. Among those who have taken that step, almost half have been women. In addition, the proportion of women among newly recruited young talent has steadily increased.

The three stories below show how those first steps can open the door to learning and professional development when people are supported by an environment that builds confidence, encourages growth and enables them to take on new challenges.

ALBA PÉREZ VILLA
Strategic Digital Alliances team

Trusting young talent from the outset gives people the opportunity to take on responsibility, fulfil their potential and grow in confidence.

I believe a new generation of professionals can bring fresh perspectives to companies like Telefónica. We have grown up in a fully digital world, which makes it easier for us to adapt to new technologies, learn new languages, use new tools and work with AI.

We can also contribute ideas to improve processes, enthusiasm and a genuine eagerness to learn from more experienced professionals. For me, trusting young talent has a hugely positive impact: it gives you the opportunity to take on responsibility, develop your skills and be part of a team where your ideas matter. Being able to fulfil your potential boosts both your motivation and your commitment to the team's goals.

During this internship year, I have learned so much. I have become more adaptable, improved my communication skills, learned how to present data and communicate objectives, achievements, questions and mistakes, while also strengthening my ability to organise my work and prioritise effectively. I have also grown in confidence thanks to the positive and constructive feedback from my supervisors and colleagues. Telefónica is a great place for young people to learn and build their careers because it gives you the opportunity to work on projects with real impact, use cutting-edge technologies, collaborate with highly experienced professionals and be part of diverse teams that are committed to helping you grow.

MANUEL LÓPEZ GARCÍA
Cybersecurity, Human and Non-Human Identity

When people trust you from day one, you feel more motivated, more confident and you learn much faster.

Growing up surrounded by technology means we quickly become familiar with new tools and can bring fresh ideas. I think that is one of the main things a new generation of professionals can contribute to companies like Telefónica: a different perspective, a strong willingness to learn, adapt and keep improving.

In my experience, when a company trusts you and gives you responsibility from the outset, you become more motivated, more confident and you learn much faster. Personally, knowing that the work I do has a real impact helps me grow and keep improving every day.

Since joining the company, I have gained new technical knowledge and strengthened skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, adapting to new challenges and time management. But if I had to highlight one thing that has been key to my professional growth, it would be a commitment to continuous learning. That is why I believe Telefónica is a great place for young people to learn, grow and build their careers: it gives you the opportunity to work on real projects from day one, learn from highly experienced professionals and develop in an environment that is committed to learning and innovation.

SOFÍA AMORES
Healthcare team

In the end, you realise you had those abilities all along; you just needed someone to help you recognise them.

In my opinion, young people can bring a different perspective to things that have been done the same way for years. In a company with more than 100 years of history like Telefónica, that creates a really valuable combination: the experience and knowledge built up over time, together with the fresh ideas and new perspective that our generation brings.

Being trusted from the very beginning has a huge impact. When you finish your studies, you often feel as though you do not know anything, so having someone place that trust in you from day one gives you the confidence to move forward. In the end, you realise you had those abilities all along; you just needed someone to help you recognise them. Since joining the company, I have particularly strengthened my assertiveness and adaptability: learning to stand by my point of view, give feedback with confidence, stay open to new ideas, avoid feeling overwhelmed by change and see every challenge as an opportunity to learn.

I believe Telefónica is a great place for young people to learn, grow and build their careers because from the very beginning I felt trusted, I felt that my work genuinely mattered to the team and that I was supported throughout the entire journey. On top of that, you have the opportunity to learn from people and ways of working that are unique to such a well-established company, something that is incredibly valuable throughout the rest of your career.

What if your next step starts here?

These stories are part of a broader commitment to creating real opportunities for young talent. Through initiatives such as Talentum and internship programmes linked to areas including Cybersecurity, Cloud, Data and Artificial Intelligence, IoT, connectivity and business functions, the company offers the opportunity to work on real projects, learn alongside multidisciplinary teams and develop technical, digital, analytical and business skills from the very start of your career.

At the moment, Telefónica Tech has 25 internship opportunities available in Madrid (Spain), with a start date in October. They are designed for people who are curious, proactive and eager to grow in a technology environment where trust, continuous learning and ongoing support are an essential part of the journey.