By MTLE Editorial Team*
When Spanish-speaking migrants move abroad, they don’t just bring luggage and documents. They bring stories, skills, and dreams—often in a new language, under new rules, and with a new sense of identity.
Work becomes more than work. It’s survival. It’s progress. It’s dignity.
And while the job itself may be simple, the effort it requires is anything but.
In this article, we explore what work looks like for migrants across Europe. We talk about 10 of the most common jobs people do when they start over in a new country. But more than that, we explore the language of work—how to describe what you do, what you’re responsible for, and how you balance everything in a life that often moves faster than expected.
🧳 Work as Reinvention
“I used to be a teacher back home,” says Mariana, who now works in Berlin as a cleaner for a corporate building. “Now I’m in charge of floor 3 and 4. I’m responsible for the offices and bathrooms. I start at 6:00 am, and I’m done by 2:00 pm. It’s hard, but it’s honest work.”
Her story is not unusual.
Many Spanish-speaking migrants begin their new life doing jobs that are very different from their original careers. They may not work in their field, or in their preferred language. But they adapt. They learn. And they do it fast.
“I didn’t speak any German at first,” says Luis, a warehouse worker in Cologne. “But I knew how to move, how to work. I had experience in logistics. So I just listened and watched. Now, I deal with the product arrivals. I handle the pallets. I report to the shift manager.”
🔧 The Language of Labor
Talking about your job in English isn’t just about using the right words. It’s about feeling that those words represent who you are—clearly, correctly, and with confidence.
If you’re a cleaner, you might say:
“I work for a cleaning company. I’m responsible for maintaining the building. I deal with all the cleaning materials.”
If you’re a restaurant assistant:
“I work in a small café. I help with food prep and sometimes I take care of the dishes. I’m good at working under pressure.”
If you’re in construction:
“I work on renovation sites. I specialize in insulation and flooring. I’m familiar with all the safety protocols.”
These verb + preposition combinations—like work in, apply for, be in charge of, good at, report to—are essential if you want to describe your work naturally in English.
Knowing them gives you more than grammar. It gives you voice.
💼 10 Real Jobs, 10 Real Lives
Here’s a quick tour of 10 roles where Spanish-speaking migrants often begin:
| Job | Common Responsibilities | Skills Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaner | Clean and restock rooms, follow schedules | Good at routines, detail-oriented |
| Kitchen Assistant | Wash dishes, assist chefs | Work under pressure, team player |
| Warehouse Staff | Pack orders, load trucks | Physically strong, organized |
| Babysitter / Nanny | Care for children, prepare food | Trustworthy, patient |
| Elderly Caregiver | Assist with mobility and meals | Compassionate, reliable |
| Supermarket Worker | Stock shelves, assist customers | Friendly, customer service skills |
| Construction Worker | Build/repair structures | Familiar with tools, teamwork |
| Call Center Agent | Answer calls, solve problems | Proficient in communication |
| Farm Worker | Harvest crops, follow safety rules | Stamina, good at working outside |
| Language Tutor | Support learners, prepare lessons | Clear speaker, good at explaining |
Each job comes with its own grammar, its own vocabulary, and its own rhythm of life.
🧘♀️ Balancing It All: When Work Takes Over
For many migrants, work-life balance is more dream than reality. Long hours, language stress, and financial pressure make it difficult to relax or disconnect.
“I used to love cooking,” says Mateo, who now works in a warehouse outside Madrid. “But after work, I have no energy. I get home, eat something fast, and go to bed.”
And yet, small routines can bring relief.
“Even when I work overtime, I try to take 30 minutes to stretch, walk, or watch something in my language,” says Sofia, a care assistant. “I believe in rest. It helps me feel human again.”
Building a life abroad isn’t just about working hard. It’s about learning how to protect your energy, to reconnect with yourself—even when your job requires you to give a lot.
🧠 Final Thoughts: Learning the Language of Self-Worth
To describe your job in English is to say: This is what I do. This is what I contribute. This is who I am becoming. It’s a form of power.
So next time someone asks, “What do you do?”—don’t just say the job title.
Say what you’re in charge of. Say what you’re good at. Say what you’ve learned to handle, what you’re working on, and what you hope for.
Here you have also, our podcast episode on the same topic:
✨*Disclaimer: ✨
Este contenido fue creado en estado de F.L.O.W. (la metodologia y framework del Team de More than Learning)
– Fusiona la visión humana con inteligencia artificial como aliada estratégica.
– Cada palabra fue cocreada con intención, liderazgo, estructura creativa y un propósito claro: ayudarte a evolucionar.
- Este articulo fue inspirado en el contenido del curso “Business English B1-B2”.