A woman with curly hair smiles while holding a paper coffee cup. She stands near a river with traditional boats docked nearby. The sunset casts a warm glow over the cityscape in the background, with a hill and buildings visible across the water.

Belen’s Blog

Balancing work, study, and growth with GSMA’s professional development days

Before joining GSMA, I worked in sales for a while, which was a great learning experience. However, I was always searching for something that aligned more with my long-term goals. I’m now grateful to have found alignment with the GSMA, and I can confidently say that I have a clearer path forward.

A bit about me: I studied International Relations and am currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Project Management. While I was born in Barcelona, I’ve spent time studying in the UK and the USA, as well as traveling and volunteering around the world. These experiences have shaped my interest in global perspectives and helped me realize I wanted to pursue a career with an international focus.

At GSMA, I work as a Workplace Services Coordinator for the Barcelona office and I work closely with Ryan and the team to make sure the office runs smoothly and provides an environment where people can thrive. Recently, I’ve also joined the Culture Champions initiative, which aims to strengthen GSMA’s culture and values, something I’m really proud to be a part of.

What stands out to me most about GSMA is how much the company lives by its values: Passionately Driven, Insightful Leaders, and Stronger Together. These aren’t just phrases we hear – they’re reflected in the way we work every day, with trust, transparency, and a strong sense of teamwork across all the teams and offices globally.

One of the benefits I’ve found particularly helpful is the Professional Development days. Balancing work and a Master’s degree can be challenging, so having these days has been a huge help. GSMA provides paid time off for employees to focus on their learning, professional growth, or even volunteering. I used one of my days to support my Master’s studies by visiting the Port of Barcelona for a special company visit.

During the visit, I learned about the Port’s key role in international trade and how its strategic focus on innovation, digitalization and environmental sustainability is shaping its future. We explored how the port’s operations help drive economic growth in nearby communities while boosting its clients’ competitiveness. And to top it all off, we went on a boat ride to see firsthand the different sectors within the port, which was a great way to bring what I’m learning in my studies come to life and see it all in action.

For me, having access to these Professional Development days has been incredibly valuable. It’s allowed me the flexibility to manage my long-term study commitments while continuing to grow in my role at GSMA. It’s one of the many ways the company supports our personal and professional development, which is something I deeply appreciate.

At GSMA, there’s a genuine focus on supporting employee wellbeing, both inside and outside the office. And whether it’s through professional development or our Culture Champions initiative, I’m proud to be part of an organization that prioritizes growth, learning, and a positive work culture.