In a world where technology is reshaping every industry, the path to professional fulfillment is rarely linear. This is the story of Akin-Egbewunmi, a petroleum engineering graduate who finished in the top 5 percent of his master’s class—but discovered a new passion, pivoted careers, and built a successful career in Information Technology.
A Degree Without a Direction
Akin-Egbewunmi graduated with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from a reputable Nigerian university. Like many students, his choice of major was influenced by interest, the prevailing job market, societal expectations, and the belief that oil and gas promised financial security and prestige.
But after graduation, the reality was starkly different. The oil and gas industry—once a giant of global employment—hadalready begun its decline. Budget cuts, geopolitical shifts, and a growing emphasis on renewable energy meant that job openings in petroleum engineering were few and far between.
Drifting and Doubt
For nearly two years after graduation, Akin-Egbewunmi took on a series of unrelated roles: tutoring mathematics and working as a salesperson at his mother’s poultry feed shop in Ibadan, before eventually landing a job as an associate at PwC Nigeria after a rigorous series of aptitude tests and interviews.
During this period, he began exploring other interests. He’d always been intrigued by technology and entrepreneurship. He decided to pursue a master’s degree in petroleum engineering, hoping to gain more knowledge and align with best-in-class technologies and industry standards.
Certainty for Uncertainty: A Master’s Degree in Canada (A Bittersweet Experience)
The decision to leave one of the Big Four consulting firms for a master’s degree was a difficult one, but he believed that chasing his dreams and aspirations was most important.
For lack of a better oxymoron, “bittersweet” sums up his master’s experience. The financial cost, culture shock, uncertainty, and emotional toll of starting over in a new country were all significant. Completing the degree required sheer determination and resilience—working several jobs simultaneously as a security operative, basic science tutor, and printing press operator. All this in an elitist Nigerian society in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Coming from a staunch Christian home, it was difficult to deal with the constant power plays and everything else that comes with the quest for survival. The anxiety and constant fear of the unknown that this culminated in cannot be fully described in an article.
But with sheer determination and tenacity, Akin-Egbewunmi graduated in the top 3 of his master’s class.
Building Real-World Experience
After graduation, the next challenge arose—what next?
The oil and gas sector remained unpredictable. But as the saying goes, “No experience is ever wasted; everything has meaning.” He took on customer service and sales roles, which helped build confidence and reignited his passion for entrepreneurship.
Entering the Tech Workforce
A close friend contacted Akin-Egbewunmi about IT and how he could leverage his problem-solving and critical thinking skills—even without a computer science degree. However, breaking into the competitive Canadian job market was the next hurdle. Many companies demanded “Canadian experience” or preferred candidates with a computer science background.
But Akin-Egbewunmi had a secret weapon—persistence.
As the saying goes, “Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” COVID-19 and the rise of remote work accelerated technology adoption, and opportunity finally met preparation. He kept learning, obtaining certifications, tailoring his resume, and emphasizing his transferable skills. Eventually, he was offered a full-time role as a DevOps Engineer at a Toronto-based management consulting firm on Bay Street, Downtown Toronto.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
Today, he is thriving—pursuing more certifications in Kubernetes and AI in DevOps, while mentoring other international students hoping to pivot into tech.
Reflecting on his journey, he shares five key lessons:
Just because you studied something doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it.
There’s no “ideal time” to change direction. Akin-Egbewunmi made his move in his 30s, when many peers were already climbing career ladders—and it was still the right time.
You don’t need to have written code as a teenager to succeed in IT. With consistency and the right support system, anyone can learn.
Choose programs that offer co-ops, practical labs, and modern curricula.
From Petroleum Graduate to Tech Founder: Akin-Egbewunmi Launches Bootcamp to Train Africa’s Next IT Experts
Once a petroleum engineering graduate, Akin-Egbewunmi is now a successful IT professional in Silicon Valley, USA, and the founder of TechMaestro—a new initiative aimed at helping African graduates transition into the global tech industry, just like he did.
After completing an honors master’s degree in petroleum engineering in Canada and thriving in a DevOps career, Akin-Egbewunmi realized that thousands of brilliant graduates were still stuck with outdated degrees. More importantly, he saw that skills like innovation, troubleshooting, and creative problem-solving were essential in IT—traits he had cultivated all along.
That’s when TechMaestro Bootcamp was born.
What Is TechMaestro Bootcamp?
TechMaestro Bootcamp is a 16-week virtual program designed to help individuals from both tech and non-tech backgroundsgain the in-demand IT skills needed to launch a successful tech career. The program is intensive, beginner-friendly, and focused on practical learning.
Participants will gain hands-on experience in:
The bootcamp is affordable, flexible, and 100% online—accessible from anywhere in Africa or the diaspora.
Who Should Join?
Ready to Start?
The next cohort of TechMaestro Bootcamp begins May 31, 2025. Limited slots are available!
Visit www.techmaestro.org
Limited-Time Offer: 30% Off Before May 15th!
