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  • Lagos, Nigeria
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  • August 9 2023

🚀Entering Tech #37: From interns to influencers, internship tales worth telling

Behind every Nigerian tech influencer is an internship period. 09 || August || 2023 View in Browser Brought to you by Issue #37 From interns to influencers Share this newsletter Greetings ET people IIn this edition of Entering Tech, we’re diving into an exciting and rapidly evolving realm of the professional world: internships This is a two-part piece written by Oluwatoyosi Adebusuyi, a storyteller at Reneé PR, a Nigerian tech PR agency. It’ll explore the myriad ways in which internships in the tech sector can propel you towards success. We also delve into inspiring stories of individuals who have leveraged tech internships to unlock their potential and pave the way for their future endeavours. Whether you’re a student aiming to gain practical skills or a career changer exploring new avenues, this edition offers insights, guidance, and a deeper understanding of the transformative power of internships by Pamela Tetteh and Timi Odueso. Tech trivia Some tech trivia to get the brain juices flowing. Which major tech company is known for its internship programme called “The Summer of Code”? Which famous tech entrepreneur started as an intern at Hewlett-Packard (HP) and later co-founded a billion-dollar company? How internships work Centuries ago, what we now know as internships were called apprenticeships, informal systems of learning designed to help young enthusiasts develop skills under trade masters’ guidance. Today, internships hold even more significance, especially for recent graduates, entry-level professionals and people looking to switch careers. Internships present invaluable opportunities to get hands-on experience, making them a popular choice for people venturing or transitioning into new careers.  Today, the tech industry is a major attraction for professionals across various fields, with 89% of career changers lured by better financial prospects, as reported by CNBC. Internships provide these individuals with vital skills to elevate their careers, seize more promising opportunities and ultimately increase their income. While certifications and degrees are valuable for launching new careers in tech, real-world experience is vital for career growth. In Nigeria’s thriving tech industry, many talents kick-started their careers through internships, achieving remarkable feats and influencing the industry’s trajectory. In this edition of Entering Tech, we explore the awe-inspiring success stories of Nigerian tech professionals who began their journeys as interns and have now achieved remarkable heights in their careers. Through their remarkable experiences, we have gained profound insights into the impact internships have on Nigeria’s tech industry, underscoring how these opportunities can turn ambitious dreams into reality. How internships have helped techies Unemployment poses a big challenge in Nigeria, as an estimated 1.8 million individuals join the job market annually, competing for a limited number of jobs. A report by Stears Insight highlights a concerning trend where uneducated Nigerians stand a higher chance of finding employment than their educated counterparts. With Nigerian universities churning out approximately 500,000 graduates each year, the demand for practical experience further complicates entry into the workforce.  Olabinjo Adeniran However, amidst these challenges, opportunities abound for those who approach the job market strategically. Olabinjo Adeniran, a growth and product marketing professional, experienced his breakthrough in the tech industry during his first year at the University. This was made possible through a social media internship opportunity with Mark Essien, founder/CEO of Hotels.ng. Prior to this, Binjo managed a consumer tech blog’s social media for two years, gaining a substantial following. Impressed by his performance, Mark believed Binjo could replicate this success at Hotels.ng. According to Adeniran, he carefully prepared for the interview with Essien to maximise his chances of getting the job. “Prior to my interview with Mark, I conducted extensive research, arriving with well-prepared notes and ideas for their social media strategy,” he said.  Similarly, Jesimiel Williams, a multi-disciplinary designer, refused to be another unemployed Nigerian graduate. While in secondary school, he acquired basic programming skills from a website designer his mother worked with. Upon gaining admission into Covenant University to study Mass Communications, he secured an internship at Lara.ng, an AI tool designed for Lagosians to find the fastest way to reach their destinations. By the time he graduated, he had accumulated over three years of valuable work experience. Jesimiel Williams Ajiri Omafokpe, a senior product designer at Kora is another remarkable example of people who monetised their passion while in the University. Despite her initial doubts about turning her Power point design skills into a design career, an internship opportunity with a designer in her third year changed everything and led her to pursue design as a career.  Sometimes, all it takes is one internship In June 2023, Nigeria was ranked first in the continent and second globally with the most hardworking workers. The average employee in Nigeria spends forty hours a week in a 9-5 job, and those in informal work settings may work up to fifty to sixty hours weekly. Despite these high numbers, a significant portion of the country’s population remains unemployed. In April 2023, the unemployment rate reached 41%, intensifying the competition for limited job openings. In this tough environment, people embrace the survival-of-the-fittest mindset by refining their skills to stand out in the job market. Internships are instrumental in this pursuit, as they offer practical experience that enhances employability.  Engaging in an internship can lead to three potential outcomes: discovering a sense of fulfilment and choosing to pursue that career path, realising that a particular direction is not suitable for you, or finding a new passion. Regardless of the result, the experience provides clarity and insights that contribute to personal and professional growth. During his internship at Lara.ng, Jesimiel had the opportunity to work on multiple projects, exploring different areas such as design, data, marketing, product management, and content writing. As he delved into these areas, he discovered that his true calling lay in design, creative writing, and marketing, skills that he now wields in a comprehensive role as the Creative Director at Stutern. Hecredits his internship at Lara.ng for shaping his career trajectory. He said, “In my first month, I was torn between screenwriting, digital art, merchandise,

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