Lagos to London, a career journey filled with explorations, transitions & new learnings.

Sitting in Prodapt’s London office, Jennifer Onwochei is happy for the opportunities that let her prove her mettle in the Connectedness domain and be at the forefront of innovation.???

Jennifer started her career in the financial services industry in Lagos, Nigeria. Today, she’s an Assistant Manager with Prodapt. She talks about what sparked her interest in building a career in technology, what makes her role at Prodapt ‘exciting’, being an official delegate to the UN Women UK, her learnings from tech, and how similar yet different she finds Lagos and London.?

What sparked your interest towards a career in the technology sector?

As much as I would love to say it’s by chance, I'd say curiosity & genuine interest in problem-solving did it for me. The tech ecosystem in Lagos had just started to grow rapidly and I got into tech just in time and by chance. The pivot from finance was not easy.? I remember, one of my first tasks was to design a wireframe for an education platform for the Northern Nigerian Government. I had zero background in tech, but what kept me going was the impact my contribution to the project would have on the lives of those who used the platforms/ products I was a part of.??

Now six years down the line from predominantly SaaS to technology services, my curiosity and problem-solving desire keep me going.?

Prodapt is the first company you’re associated with in the UK. How has the experience been so far???

The experience has been eye-opening to say the least. When you move from a product (SaaS) company to a technology services multinational, there will be some difference in dynamics. However, there has been a lot to learn here.?

"What excites me most at Prodapt is the innovation! Right now, it’s our work around Generative AI. What adds to the thrill is shaping the go-to-market (GTM) strategy for the technology space. It's a dynamic journey and being at the forefront of these cutting-edge developments is undeniably one of the most exhilarating aspects for me."

How do you perceive Prodapt’s role in #AcceleratingConnectedness???

We are on the right trajectory as a company, recognizing the inherent sociability of humans evident throughout our evolutionary journey and the civilizations we've built. This inherent social nature is mirrored in the ever-increasing interconnectivity of individuals, devices, and systems, facilitated by technologies like the internet and communication networks. This interconnectedness serves as a dynamic force propelling various technological advancements and societal transformations. As an organization, we actively participate in this landscape, navigating the realms where Connectedness is not merely an abstract concept but a tangible, almost infinite reality. It is within this realm that our mission resides — to propel the very essence of Connectedness.?

"Our journey is an ongoing commitment to accelerate this interconnectedness, recognizing it as a cornerstone of progress. In doing so, we not only advance our own endeavors but also actively support and collaborate with other key players in this dynamic and ever-evolving business. In essence, we are not just witnesses but active contributors to the continuous evolution of Connectedness, playing our part in shaping the future of technological innovation and societal cohesion."

Tell us a bit about your move from Lagos to London. How was it adapting to a different climate, different continent, and a new work culture???

It was an opportunity to take my career to the next level and take on new experiences. I moved to the UK in 2021 for my MBA. Adapting was not too hard per say. I'd say my MBA experience gave me a soft landing.??

I believe there’s no better way to get acquainted with a country than getting a part-time job while studying. I lived in Liverpool, a football city and so I worked as a VIP host at Liverpool FC, and moving across teams and managing customers gave me a snippet of the culture here.?

Both Lagos and London are mega cities. In these fast-paced cities, it's a bit of a mad dash—you've got to be street-smart. Both cities are cosmopolitan. Now where you can clearly draw a line of dissimilarity is the transport system. In Lagos, transportation is not as organized as London's.??

As a tech professional, what have been your key learnings?

I have had so many learning points, but I’d share 3:???

1. "At the other end of value is deliberateness". A dear friend and brother would always say this. It means to have value as an end, one must be deliberate about the process and work. Nothing comes easy. So, to put an ecosystem-shaking solution or product out there that people use, will take levels of deliberateness.?
2. Technology must remain human-centered to be impactful to humans. Again, intentionality in driving human-centred solutions must be a metric used when developing, and not just for capital gains.?
3. Technology is not the end, but a means to an end.?

Which of Prodapt’s four values (Speed, Depth, Futuristic and Persistence) do you relate strongly with?

"Depth and Futuristic. This is because we are a forward-thinking, future-ready company constantly aiming to stay ahead of the curve. To be future-ready, you need to be deliberate and intentional. That’s where the depth element comes in. These two align with my values."?

You were selected as an official delegate to the UN Women UK on the Commission of the Status of Women CSW67. How was your experience????

It has been an interesting journey and an honour to be a part of a community of strong women who, collectively and individually, are passionate about the safety, growth, and empowerment of women. This year's main theme was especially focused on technology. We addressed safety online and how technology can and will be leveraged for the good of women of the world.?

There are a lot of talented people in underserved parts of the world who need people with the means to take a chance on them. Who with the help of technology, can gain exposure to the world and see that there is indeed a space at the table for them.??

What can/should be done by the industry and society to encourage more girls to take up careers in technology??

The first is safety (psychological and all-round safety). Women and girls need to feel like their ideas will be understood and welcomed and that the company holds the safety of their staff in high regard. The second is inclusion. This has to be at the forefront of any company’s diversity agenda. This can be achieved by hiring women qualified for the role and ensuring that there are women in leadership positions. Thirdly, women should be paid equally to their male counterparts to contribute to bridging the gender pay gap. Another salient option is that daycare services can be added as part of the benefits for mothers, and more inclusive paternity leave should be allowed. I’m glad that Prodapt as a company prioritises all this.?

What advice would you like to offer young girls looking to build careers in technology???

We are witnessing the evolution of technology and so will the future generations. This is your time, your moment, so contribute meaningfully and leave your mark on the ecosystem. Understand your priorities and trade-offs in the workplace and in your private life. If you have been helped to get to where you are, take it forward by helping someone else. And if you weren't, now’s a good time to start.??

With technology moving at lightning speed, how do you keep yourself updated?????

That’s interesting and that’s because I use technology to do this…Checking tech blogs and looking at the news. I also maintain healthy relationships with friends and acquaintances within the tech ecosystem.?

How do you relax and unwind after a long week???

Friday is my favorite day of the week. I would cook something nice! I love cooking. I would also watch a show on Netflix or a podcast on YouTube. On other days, I’d read a fictional novel or have a friend over for tea, or even be out exploring the city of London.?