*The launch of “Breaking Into Tech: Internship as a Pathway” brought together more than 200 attendees, technology professionals, industry leaders, contributors and aspiring professionals for an afternoon of conversations about internships, career access and the future of talent.

Lagos, Nigeria — More than 200 people joined the physical and virtual launch of “Breaking Into Tech: Internship as a Pathway”, a new book documenting the career journeys of 20 professionals who used internships as a starting point for their careers across technology and other industries.

Curated by marketing and growth leader Oluchukwu Chiadika, the book brings together the personal career stories and experiences of Adedoyinsola Adeyeye, Blessing Aladi Ochejele, Damilola Olopade, Hannah Olaniyi, Maryann Onuoha, Oluwatofunmi Idowu, Ruby Ihekweme, Joshua Udonne, Favour Onojodofia, Oba Nmabuobi, Ifeoluwa Adekoya, Precious Adeyemi, Saviour Mba, Israel Adetunji, Eniolaoluwa Oluwole, Felix Bissong, Mileke Kolawole, Chimuanya Dike, Oluchukwu Chiadika and Dolapo Oni.

Together, the contributors represent different professional backgrounds and career paths, offering readers a closer look at what happens before the job titles, leadership positions and career milestones: the search for a first opportunity, the internship experience, the transition into professional life and the lessons learned along the way.

The launch brought many of these stories to life, bringing together contributors, members of the technology and business ecosystem, aspiring professionals and industry leaders for a conversation that extended beyond the pages of the book.

Among the notable guests and foreword writers present were Blessing Bossman, Managing Director of Darey.io, and Abayomi Semudara, Founder of Five23.

The book was also strengthened by the perspectives of six industry leaders who contributed forewords: Tomiwa Aladekomo, CEO of Big Cabal Media; Ashley Immanuel, Chief Operating Officer of Semicolon; Zumah Yahaya, Director of Programs at Ilorin Innovation Hub; Abayomi Semudara, Founder of Five23; Eneyi Obi, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Rise; and Blessing Bossman, Managing Director of Darey.io.

One of the standout moments of the event came during an audience conversation when an attendee asked how she could begin her journey into investment banking. What followed reflected one of the central ideas behind the book: access often begins with people.

Professionals in the room were quick to offer guidance, share advice and make introductions that could potentially help her secure her first internship opportunity.

The moment became a powerful real-life demonstration of the message behind Breaking Into Tech—that opportunities can be created when knowledge, access and community come together.
The event also reinforced the book’s wider message that career journeys are rarely linear and that there is no single pathway into technology or professional success. Through the experiences of its 20 contributors, Breaking Into Tech: Internship as a Pathway seeks to make career pathways more visible to students, graduates and career changers who may be searching for their own first opportunity.

Media coverage for the launch was supported by Pressdia and African Tech Journal, while partners including The Great House Productions, Pullen Creatives and Eventpadi supported the event.

For Chiadika, the launch marked more than the release of a book.

It marked the beginning of a broader conversation about access, internships and the role that individuals, organisations and communities can play in helping talented young people find their way into meaningful careers.

And judging by the conversations, connections and opportunities created during the launch, Breaking Into Tech: Internship as a Pathway has already begun doing what it set out to do: helping make the path forward a little more visible for the next person looking for an opportunity.