🚀Entering Tech #38: How to grow with internships

Some tech trivia to get the brain juices flowing.

Internships continue to be a key driver in propelling careers forward. With an increasing number of startups embracing the concept of hiring and training interns, people find it easier to embark on their career journeys, particularly those transitioning into new professional paths. An internship can provide the clarity needed to fully comprehend and navigate a new industry or job role.

Joyce Imiegha embarked on an exciting career transition from public relations to product management. Haven taken several product management courses, she secured a valuable internship opportunity at Stax where she gained hands-on experience, and made significant contributions to the success of the product. Impressively, within six months of her internship, Joyce’s performance earned her a promotion to the position of Associate Product Manager. She attributes this achievement to the unwavering support of her manager and colleagues, as well as the company’s inclusive and supportive work culture, enabling her to transition smoothly and flourish in her new role.

Many interns working in Nigerian startups have also enthusiastically shared how their internships have left a lasting impact on their personal and professional lives, setting a strong foundation for their career success. 

Chidinma Okechukwu, a marketing intern at GoMoney has found clarity in her marketing career. She shares, “I’ve grown so much here, feeling confident as a digital marketer.”Ayomide Ogunsiakan, a growth intern at Stears Insights, talked about how kindness has played a significant role in her internship experience. Despite initial challenges, the nurturing environment has contributed to her progress, and she feels reassured by the feedback she gets, knowing they trust her work.

Boluwatife Olajubu loves being part of Love Box, a startup, because of its small and close-knit team. As a new product designer, the company actively supports her career goals. She expresses, “It is refreshing to work in a company that understands and actively helps me exceed my limits.”

Internships undoubtedly offer great experiences, but they do come with their share of challenges that need to be addressed. One significant challenge faced by some interns is the lack of a well-defined structure in their internships. This can result in reduced productivity and confusion about roles and responsibilities, leaving interns feeling disoriented and uncertain about their tasks. To ensure a meaningful and productive internship experience, organizations should strive to establish clear guidelines and support systems for their interns.

Another issue revolves around the prevalence of unpaid or low-paid internships, where some unfortunate situations even lead to interns being denied compensation based on an unjust perception of being undeserving. Additionally, limited or inadequate mentorship can hinder interns’ professional growth and overall experience, as they may struggle without proper guidance and support. The misconception that internships solely benefit interns seeking experience is far from true, as these programs also hold considerable value for startups, presenting opportunities for talent acquisition.

Managers are also very essential in internships, and Olabinjo Adeniran gives credit to Mark Essien for his growth and learning. Despite being an intern, Mark ensured he made the most of the entire experience. He expresses, “Mark’s patience and specific feedback helped me focus on essential aspects aligned with our growth objectives.”

Managers like Wendy Okeke and Oluwafemi Akinola acknowledge the fresh perspectives and positive contributions interns bring to their teams. Wendy Okeke, a marketing and communications manager revealed that “an impact that is hard to miss is the fresh perspectives interns bring—working with people that have little or no knowledge but can form an opinion about a product or brand is an intangible value.” Oluwafemi Akinola, a frontend engineer, emphasises how interns contribute to startups by providing support on projects, fostering diversity and inclusion, and serving as a talent pipeline. He advocates for startups to develop impactful tech internship programs due to these reasons. 

Jesimiel Williams reinforces this sentiment stating, “Investing in grooming and training fresh minds is truly rewarding, as many of the remarkable talents often begin as interns.” Onyinyechi Nneji stresses the need for companies to adopt clear learning pathways and personalised guidance during internships, while Ajiri Omafokpe recommends conducting reviews and matching interns with mentors to enhance their experience.

The experiences of these professionals and the invaluable contributions of interns make it evident that internships play a pivotal role in shaping one’s career and professional development. They open doors for aspiring individuals to pursue their passions, gain real-world experience, and thrive in their careers. Embracing the value of internships for individuals and organisations is vital to moulding the next wave of tech leaders and uplifting the tech workforce. 

By making internships even better, nurturing talent, and providing guidance, startups, HRs and team managers hold the key to shaping the future generation of tech stars.

Attend The Web3 Lagos Conference

Web3 Lagos Conference is a 3-day physical and virtual event comprising of the hackathon, workshops, networking, career fair and panel sessions. The Conference will hold between August 31 and September 2, 2023, at The Zone, Gbagada, Lagos State.

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