Since I was a child, I felt a special attraction to technology. Although I grew up surrounded by the natural beauty of Panajachel, where I still live, what really captured my attention were computers, devices, and everything related to the digital world. Ever since kindergarten, I have been fascinated by everything related to this world, and I knew I wanted to understand more, to learn more. That curiosity stayed with me throughout my childhood and shaped the path I would follow.
I was fortunate to receive a full scholarship to study at one of the best schools in Panajachel at the time, where I completed both elementary and middle school. It was a great opportunity for me, as it not only allowed me to receive an excellent education but also participate in technology-related events. In those competitions, I didn’t just win prizes, but I also learned to code, which I loved. I realized that creating things through technology was something I was truly passionate about.
One of the movies that inspired me the most at the time was *The Social Network*, the story of Facebook’s creation. It opened my eyes to the world of entrepreneurship and how technology can transform people’s lives. However, to be honest, I wasn’t sure which career to pursue after finishing middle school. I had no intention of studying at ITEC of Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Altiplano Campus, but out of curiosity, I took a vocational test. That’s when I heard about the institute’s financial aid, which led me to decide to stay and study there.
When I graduated from high school and was ready to start university, coincidentally, just as I was exploring options, the university launched a new Informatics degree, and I decided to pursue it. I spent five years of intense studies to earn my degree in Information Systems Technology. I couldn’t have achieved it without the support of the university and the Dr. Calvin Hughes scholarship fund, which helped me throughout my education. While studying, I got involved in several extracurricular activities, winning an award at an event organized by the Guatemalan Chamber of Industry. During my studies, I discovered that I not only loved technology but also entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence, a topic I focused on in my thesis.
In the final years of my degree, I started working at a tech store and later discovered my love for teaching when I was offered the opportunity to teach math and computer science at a school. That’s when I realized how much I enjoyed sharing my knowledge and helping others learn.
After graduating, I decided to take a year off while finishing my thesis. However, just as I was about to start looking for a job, my parents began a franchise business. Some issues arose with the location they were offered, and in the end, I had to turn down a job offer to help them with logistics and marketing. Although I wanted to support my family, this situation affected me emotionally, as my true desire was to work in programming, leading to a difficult period for me.
Despite that, I decided not to give up and started my own startup. I launched an app called *Xiflat*, designed to connect sellers with potential customers, with an interface similar to a social network. Initially, everything was going well, but the project failed due to a lack of funding and a weak business model. From a business perspective, it was a tough blow, but on a personal level, it was a success. I learned so much about technology and entrepreneurship and discovered mistakes and lessons that I wouldn’t have learned so quickly otherwise.
After that experience, I began working as a software consultant, an area in which I still work today. My passion for teaching never faded, and when the director of Informatics at the Faculty of Engineering offered me the chance to teach a course, I accepted without hesitation. I was excited about the idea of sharing my mistakes and successes with the students so they could learn from my experience. At the end of that semester, I was offered more courses, not only in the Faculty of Engineering but also in the Faculty of Humanities. I feel very happy with this stage of my life because I can fully utilize my potential by helping students truly understand what I teach them, not just fulfill the course requirements.
The director of Informatics also selected me to receive a scholarship that allowed me to participate in a training program on design and mechanical elements, taught by Amy Smith, director of the MIT D-Lab. This course took place at the university’s main campus and was an invaluable experience that expanded my knowledge in key areas of technological design and innovation. In addition to my work as a teacher, and as a result of the training with Amy, I had the opportunity to establish a Research, Innovation, and Technological Development Unit within the faculty, where we are currently working on developing prototypes aimed at helping blind people, using advanced technological tools to improve their integration and mobility. The project has created an environment of collaboration and continuous learning, where students actively participate, contributing innovative ideas and practical solutions. This extracurricular space brings together students motivated by the desire to apply technology to improve people’s lives.
That has been my story so far. Throughout the journey, I have learned that, although failures can be tough, they are valuable opportunities to learn and grow. Today, I enjoy teaching, continuing to learn, and sharing what I know with others, always with the goal of preparing my students to face the challenges that lie ahead. intelligence, a topic I focused on in my thesis.
