Alfonso X el Sabio University (UAX) has set up a panel of experts in HR, entrepreneurship and innovation from leading companies to guide young people in their choice of study and improve their employability. This has led to the creation of UAX’s ‘Council of Sages’ , an initiative that responds to the growing need for guidance in an ever-changing labour market.
In Spain, the youth unemployment rate remains above 25 per cent, reflecting a difficult situation for young people seeking their first job. A lack of experience – identified by over 60 per cent of young people as the main obstacle to securing a job – and overqualification, which affects 30–35 per cent of graduates, are two of the main challenges young people face in their professional careers.
This problem can be addressed, for example, through early career guidance for students. According to studies such as ‘Investing in Career Guidance 2025’, young people who receive this guidance see an improvement in their academic performance as they establish a link between their academic curriculum and their future career. Furthermore, it helps them manage the uncertainty surrounding such an important decision in their lives.
A panel of experts to guide the talent of tomorrow
In light of this reality, UAX wishes to reaffirm, through the creation of this ‘Council of Experts’, its commitment to high-quality education, offering a methodology connected to the business world that fosters competitive talent. An exclusive panel of seven leading professionals in their respective sectors has shared practical guidelines on how to stand out in recruitment processes. The interviews, conducted by journalist Andrea Compton, provide clear and actionable recommendations for students.
The panel of experts comprises:
- Nuria Viudez, Head of People at Vicio.
- Jesús Villegas, content creator and former creative consultant for the ‘MilfShakes’ brand.
- Isaías Galve, Head of HR at Bidafarma.
- Guadalupe Camacho, Senior HR Director for Iberia & Strategic Projects for Latin Iberia at Sony Music.
- Telmo Trenado, content creator, entrepreneur and founder of ‘Hype’.
- Sergio de la Calle, Head of Talent Acquisition at Telefónica.
- Alicia Ruíz, Chief People Operations Officer at VML The Cocktail.
These professionals share their insights on key skills and essential topics for employability, including:
- Essential Skills: the importance of English and artificial intelligence in the workplace, as well as the soft skills that companies value beyond technical training.
- Professional Experience: how to make the most of work placements and international experience to secure stable employment and progress towards a permanent contract.
- Recruitment Process: tips on finding vacancies, standing out with a CV tailored to current recruitment tools, and avoiding common mistakes in job interviews.
- Strategic networking: the importance of building a network of contacts whilst at university and how to use platforms such as LinkedIn effectively.
- Self-awareness and preferences: Identifying personal interests and strengths is essential for making informed decisions about which career path to follow, ensuring that the choice is not only viable in the labour market but also personally fulfilling.
These points highlight the key factors that an educational institution must fulfil in order to prepare the talent of tomorrow.
UAX will be present at AULA, the International Student and Education Fair taking place at IFEMA from 11 to 15 March, to offer personalised guidance to attendees.
