From intern to employee: growing through trust and learning

Who are you and what do you do at Telefónica Tech?

My name is Sofía Amores and I studied Industrial Engineering at Comillas Pontifical University. Last year I joined Telefónica Tech’s Data & AI unit as an intern through the Talentum scholarship programme, an experience that allowed me to take my first steps into the professional world while completing my master’s degree.

A few months ago, I joined the team on a permanent basis, where I currently work on the preparation and delivery of projects in the Health and Social sector.

How and why did you apply for a Talentum internship?

I discovered Telefónica Tech thanks to a lecturer who works here and invited us to attend the first edition of Futuro Talento #WomenInTech. It was my first contact with the company, and what stood out most to me was their approach to technology and talent.

At that time I was still studying, and when the moment came to look for an internship, I remembered that experience. I felt I was a good fit with the vision the speakers conveyed about technology and how they approached their day-to-day work. In addition, I had the opportunity to work in the Artificial Intelligence product area applied to healthcare, a field I found particularly interesting and with a very tangible impact.

The trust they placed in me from the very beginning made me feel that my work had value within the team.

What do you value most about your experience at Telefónica Tech?

I felt very supported from the start. Even though my team was small, I always had help when I needed it and they paid close attention to my development.

One thing I particularly value is the trust they placed in me from the very beginning. The learning process was very gradual: as they saw I was ready, they gave me more responsibility, and when I took on new tasks, they fully trusted my judgement. This meant that very early on I felt that my work had value within the team.

I believe that combination of support and trust has undoubtedly been what has helped me the most in my professional development.

What were the main challenges you faced and how did you manage your expectations when the opportunity arose to join Telefónica Tech as an employee?

As a main challenge, I would highlight starting to work in the healthcare field, which was not what I had originally trained in. However, I realised that I was surrounded by people who had gone through the same process and, like me, had had to acquire a lot of knowledge from scratch. That helped me understand that it is completely normal not to know everything and that learning is part of everyday work, even when you have extensive professional experience.

Another important challenge was understanding how to navigate such a large company, with so many teams and different ways of working. Over time, as I met new people and lost my fear of asking questions, I began to feel more comfortable and better understood how to fit within the organisation.

How did you experience the transition from intern to becoming part of the team as an employee at Telefónica Tech?

I was absolutely delighted when they told me they were going to hire me. It also coincided with the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, an experience I was able to experience first-hand as a Telefónica Tech employee and one I am sure I will never forget.

I did notice a heavier workload, but it was also an opportunity to get fully involved in areas that, due to time constraints, I hadn’t been able to explore in as much depth before. I began to participate more actively in decision making and to have a clearer role within the team, which made the transition very motivating.

I also appreciated seeing how colleagues from other teams I had worked with were genuinely happy about my joining, which once again showed me what a positive environment I’m part of.

The learning process has been gradual: as I grew, so did my responsibilities.

How has your professional growth been during this time?

Now as an employee, I’m going through a very intense period of growth, but I also recognise that my time as an intern was essential in building a strong foundation. During that period, I was able to integrate well into the team and understand how to add value, which has made the transition much more natural.

After more than a year at Telefónica Tech, I have learned that professional growth isn’t just about accumulating knowledge, but about developing judgement, learning to navigate different contexts and knowing how to contribute your perspective even when you are just starting out.

I understood that it is not necessary to know everything from the start; learning is part of everyday work.

What conclusion would you draw from your time as an intern and your incorporation into Telefónica Tech?

After this journey, what I take away is that the attitude with which you approach your work makes far more difference than your starting point.

I have also learned that it is not necessary to have all the answers from the beginning. What matters is getting involved, asking the right questions and surrounding yourself with environments where you can develop. When those conditions are in place, growth comes naturally.

Attitude, willingness to learn and the right environment make more difference than your starting point.

Telefónica Tech

From intern to employee: growing with enthusiasm at Telefónica Tech

October 16, 2025