What Started as a Summer Internship Led to a Career in Product Management

Oladeji Oluwaseun
Jul 11
3 min read

It’s interesting how a single experience can shape the way your path unfolds.

When we launched the Afro-Tech Girls Summer Internship Program, the goal was simple, connect young women in STEM to real-world experience with forward-thinking employers across Nigeria. Out of the 10 ladies who participated in that cohort, Jennifer was one of them.

At the time, she was studying Chemical Engineering. Today, she’s a Product Manager at one of Africa’s leading fintech companies, confidently owning her space in tech and building tools that drive internal innovation.

Here’s how it all began.

👋 Hello Jennifer! Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do in the STEM space?

Hi! My name is Jennifer. I’m a product manager and product designer, currently working as an Internal Tools Product Manager at one of Africa’s leading fintech companies.

How did you first hear about Afro-Tech Girls?

I first heard about Afro-Tech Girls in 2021 through a WhatsApp group for women in STEM. At the time, I wasn’t fully immersed in tech, but I was studying Chemical Engineering, which meant I was still part of the STEM community. I was drawn to the vision Afro-Tech Girls had, and I knew I wanted to be part of something like that.

What initiative or program did you take part in with Afro-Tech Girls?

I participated in a STEM outreach program in partnership with IHS, where we sensitized secondary school students about opportunities in STEM. I also took part in a summer internship program, where I was placed on a two-month internship with a Nigerian company.

What was that experience like for you? Any standout moment you still remember?

It was a very transformative experience. One standout moment was seeing how eager and curious the students were during the outreach, it reminded me of how powerful early exposure to STEM can be.

The summer internship, however, was a major turning point for me. It gave me my first real glimpse into workplace scenarios, introduced me to the practical side of what I’d been learning, and helped me decide on my current career path. That hands-on experience gave me the confidence to pursue product management.

Did you face any challenges before joining, and did the initiative help with that?

Not particularly. I discovered Afro-Tech Girls on social media and signed up through their website. But what I did gain was direction, I wasn’t facing challenges, but I was definitely looking for clarity, and Afro-Tech Girls gave me that.

How has being part of Afro- Tech Girls impacted your journey in tech/STEM? Have you learned or achieved something you’re proud of since then?

Absolutely. Afro-Tech Girls played a big role in how I got into tech. Their programs piqued my interest and gave me the push I needed to start learning skills like product design and web development.

By the time the summer internship came around, I was ready to put that knowledge to use, which eventually led to my current role as a product manager. That growth is something I’m really proud of.

What would you say to other young women thinking of joining Afro-Tech Girls?

I believe it’s so important to be part of a community. Whether you’re just starting out or already working in STEM, being surrounded by women who are working toward similar goals makes all the difference.

Afro-Tech Girls exposed me to countless opportunities, from hearing inspiring stories to getting involved in programs that helped me grow. If you’re thinking of joining, don’t hesitate. It could be the start of something exciting.

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about women in STEM?

There’s truly something for every woman in STEM. A lot of people still think STEM roles are rigid or “masculine,” but that’s not true. STEM is filled with diverse, creative roles that require empathy, communication, and innovation, skills many women already have. I want more women to know they belong here.

Jennifer’s journey is a reminder that early exposure and supportive opportunities can shape bold futures.

And speaking of opportunities , we’re excited to share that we recently partnered with Vamp Technologies

Through this partnership, 150 Afro-Tech Girls will become interview-ready with:

Optimized LinkedIn profiles
Updated resumes
Polished portfolios
Job pairing opportunities
And tailored coaching to prepare for real-world hiring conversations

This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to equip girls and create access in STEM. Beneficiaries of past Afro-Tech Girls training programs sponsored by our community are eligible.

📩 Check your inbox — we sent you a registration link.To learn more, follow us on socials.