The twenties are associated with fun and the desire to live, but is that still really the case? For many young people, this stage is an ocean of uncertainties and stress that they cannot cope with: they speak of the "glass generation" because of their fragility in facing difficulties.
“There is a lot of fear,” says Carles Ventura, youth coach and lecturer. “Young people are surrounded by negative input,” he says. He attributes these worries and insecurities regarding the future to the discomfort that permeates society in relation to the employment outlook.
But regardless of whether the term "glass generation" fits reality or not, and regardless of the social and cultural factors that distinguish this era from previous ones, the uncertain 20s remain an exciting time full of opportunities. It is also a decisive period for working life: the time to begin to establish solid foundations, explore different professional options and define long-term goals.
These are four stories of young people between 23 and 26 years old that illustrate what it is like to face the world of work for the first time.
Deciding what to study and how to direct your professional life is a complex emotional journey that involves multiple factors, personal desires, and uncertainty about the future. Laia Moreno (21 years old) traveled a winding path in her educational and professional search. After completing the 'bachibac' - which grants her the double degree of Spanish Baccalaureate and the French Diplôme du Baccalauréat - her passion for plants led her to study Biology in France. There she was faced with a new and unknown environment in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which shook her perception of her future. She learned that the search for an academic identity can sometimes be misleading.
Laia took a "gap year" of studies. She spent it working and rethinking her future, which helped her reflect on her passions, strengths, and aspirations: “I realized that what I was studying was a hobby, but I didn't see myself working on it.” . Laia's experience highlights a fundamental factor: educational choices are not linear routes, but journeys full of unexpected turns. Indecision is a natural part of the process. People face challenges that reevaluate their goals and values.
Ventura believes that experiences like Laia's are frequent. As a 'coach', she has observed numerous teenagers embarking on careers out of imposition or pushed by job prospects, neglecting their own inclinations. "They neglect to tune in to their inner selves and recognize what drives them," she says.
Laia Moreno made a change in her life and took advantage of the opportunity that was presented to her to work in a circus, a world that she loved deeply. It was a revelation. She discovered that what she considered a simple hobby could become a meaningful and rewarding career. Often our talents lie in areas we had not initially considered. In your twenties there is plenty of time to change your pace.
In the case of university students, the period after graduation often triggers a mix of negative emotions, between anticipation and anxiety.
"I graduated to have a degree that could help me in the future," says Aimée (26, prefers not to give her last name), who has just graduated in Audiovisual Media, and is at a turning point.
The internships, both curricular and extracurricular, were his first immersion in the audiovisual sector. While he learned valuable lessons, not all of them were as profound as he would have liked. "I don't feel completely prepared to work in an audiovisual production company right now," she admits.
Despite his doubts, he managed to secure a contract during his second internship, but he does not experience the fulfillment he craves. "I'm fine because I feel comfortable, not because I feel fulfilled." Her words reflect a common dilemma among young professionals, the constant search for a balance between security and personal satisfaction: find a stable job or pursue your true passion.
Although Aimée has found work in her chosen career field, her journey is not over. Aimée seeks guidance from a career counselor at her university. Together they explore job portals, tools and advice that can guide them in their search for a professional path. Although she does not believe that finding another job in her field is impossible, she is realistic and willing to discover new opportunities.
Carles Ventura values the culture of perseverance. According to him, even if young people like Aimée do not find satisfaction in their current job, the simple act of exploring and experimenting contributes to their professional fulfillment. "They have the advantage that there are many young people lacking motivation," he remarks. "Young talent is in short supply," he says.
Life sometimes surprises us with unexpected turns. He succeeded Jaume Clavero (23 years old), an example of how decisions made in a time of uncertainty can trigger opportunities.
Jaume was not clear about his address. To explore options and save time, he chose to enroll in professional hairdressing training. He felt it would be "quick and easy," and would give her space to think about his future. “I was looking into a degree in vehicle electromechanics, but it didn't convince me,” she explains.
What started as a chance choice soon turned into an epiphany. The world of hairdressing ignited a passion in him that he had never anticipated, and it became his vocation. “I never thought it would become a profession,” he says. For him, cutting hair is a creative outlet and a form of personal expression. “I started watching videos on Instagram, so I wanted to try.”
Still, he faced ups and downs and challenges. He liked barbering, but the courses were expensive. During his hairdressing internship, one of his teachers gave him the opportunity to join one of the most prestigious barbershops in Barcelona. “I found this opportunity very beneficial and keeping in touch with him gave me many opportunities in the future.”
Once he completed his higher degree, he dedicated himself to pursuing his goal and looked for an internship at an academy. Although he was rejected several times, he finally got a place. "I managed to get them to give in because of my heaviness," he says. From this moment on, the path became smoother, since he obtained a job where he feels comfortable. "I don't think it was difficult for me to enter the world of work. My teachers, thanks to my attitude and determination, supported me with their contacts."
Xenia Arnal (24 years old) soon proved to be a tenacious worker. She looked for a job in an Inditex store as soon as she came of age. She achieved a promotion to the offices, where she contributes to the development of the website.
Xenia's true passion has always been figure skating. From the age of 15 she trained and competed under the auspices of the Catalan Skating Federation. She began working as a coach at her mother's school. She learned to make bold and transformative decisions: at age 18, she decided to federate her students in the School Council, which marked a turning point in her career as her coach. “The girls were eager and I saw that they had potential, so I decided to move,” she says.
Encouraged by the progress and determination of her students, Xenia decided to take them to other clubs where they could compete and grow. Even when one of the clubs closed, she found a creative solution: collaborate with a hockey club to open a skating section. Her good performance as her coach led her to be promoted to coordinator of the skating section: “It is not easy for me since I deal with very administrative issues. But I learn new things every day.”
Although she lacked experience in administrative matters, she was forced to acquire accounting skills on her own to follow her dream. "I was fortunate to have the club's support in this area, relieving me of logistical tasks and allowing me to focus on technique," she says.
