More than 160 young women from across Latin America participated in the 2026 edition of “Jóvenes Profesionales en IT”,a training and mentoring program by Chicas en Tecnología designed to strengthen the employability skills of young women interested in pursuing a career in the technology sector.
The program, designed for young women aged 17 to 23 from the comunidad CET, combined self-paced training, virtual sessions, and in-person experiences with companies and professionals in the tech ecosystem. Throughout the program, participants learned job search strategies, strengthened their professional and social-emotional skills, expanded their networks, and gained insight into diverse experiences and career paths within the sector.
Preparing for the working world
Entering the workforce involves much more than just knowing the steps to apply to a job. It requires recognizing one’s own strengths, building confidence, communicating one’s experiences, and having the tools to navigate diverse selection processes and work environments.
That’s why Young IT Professionals proposed a program that combined the development of personal and professional skills with concrete tools for finding job opportunities.
Through the content of the Chicas en Tecnología Virtual Campus, participants were able to work on various aspects related to their professional development. This program was complemented by synchronous virtual sessions designed to apply the content, address questions, and receive feedback.
The program included workshops on Job search strategies and networking with PwC; resume and LinkedIn development with JP Morgan; interview preparation and mock interviews in English with ICANA;and a session on using artificial intelligence to boost employability with Eliana Bracciaforte..
The incorporation of AI tools also made it possible to address current challenges in the workplace from a critical and strategic perspective, considering how these technologies can support job search and professional development processes.
Learning from experience as well
A major part of the program was the in-person sessions held at various technology companies. These sessions allowed participants to apply what they had learned to specific contexts and develop the skills needed to thrive in the workplace.
Each session addressed different aspects of professional development:
- Professional identity, self-awareness, and confidence,in partnership with S&P.
- Critical thinking and decision-making in the workplace,in partnership with Salesforce.
- Adaptability, emotional management, and frustration tolerance,in partnership with Lenovo.
- Effective communication, teamwork, and agility in remote settings,in partnership with Monks.
Beyond the specific content, these sessions connected participants with organizations and professionals in the sector, creating opportunities to gain firsthand insight into different ways of working and building a career in technology.
Building trust and networks
Professional development also involves having mentors, spaces for exchange, and networks to support the next steps. For this reason, the program sought to create opportunities for young women to expand their networks, learn about diverse career paths, and strengthen their connections with others interested in advancing within the tech ecosystem.
Connecting with professionals and companies provided concrete insights into the working world and broadened the possibilities participants could envision for their own career paths.
In turn, peer-to-peer exchange helped create spaces of support and belonging, which are essential for navigating the challenges of starting a professional career.
Supporting new career trajectories in technology
Young IT Professionals is part of Chicas en Tecnología’s work to provide young women with the tools, experiences, and networks that enable them to actively participate in the technology ecosystem.
In a job market shaped by digital transformation and the adoption of new technologies. strengthening employability skills involves not only providing technical knowledge but also supporting the development of skills, confidence, and adaptability.
“Both the in-person and virtual sessions were incredibly valuable to me. They allowed me to explore different areas of IT and also meet other young women who are going through the same job search process as I am,” said one of the participants.
Through training and support initiatives, at Chicas en Tecnología we seek to help more young people recognize their abilities, access new opportunities, and build career paths in technology aligned with their interests and goals.
