For this edition of our My Internship Journey series, we sat down with Damola Daniel Odubote, an IT professional with roots in cybersecurity and cloud computing, and a passion for empowering aspiring technologists. Today, he works full-time at Brodies LLP, Scotland’s largest law firm, but the journey that brought him here was shaped by resilience, clarity and the belief that the right opportunity can accelerate a career.
What followed was an insightful conversation about growth, transition and finding direction.
Here’s our conversation.
“Damola, let’s begin with you, who are you outside of work?”
He reflects for a moment before answering.
“Outside work, I’m someone who genuinely loves technology. I enjoy football, mentoring people who want to begin a career in IT and researching ways to empower those who are passionate about tech. Sharing knowledge has always been important to me.”
“How did Black Professionals UK (BPU) come into your journey?”
His answer is straightforward.
“I found BPU on LinkedIn while searching for communities that could help me grow. I registered and that simple decision opened doors I didn’t expect.”
“Before securing the internship, what challenges did you face?”
He nods, acknowledging how pivotal that phase was.
“It was hard to find an internship in my field, most companies wanted only full-time staff. And translating my experience from Nigeria into the UK ecosystem wasn’t easy. I had the skills, but I needed to learn how to present them in a way employers here would understand.”
“Let’s talk about the internship. Where did you work and what was the experience like?”
A smile breaks through.
“I interned at Brodies LLP and the experience was incredible. From day one, the team was welcoming. I was trusted with hands-on tasks, given the right guidance and exposed to real infrastructure work. I worked with solicitors, IT leaders, finance managers and finally got the cloud experience I’d always wanted.”
He adds:
“It felt like growth was happening every single day.”
“How did the internship shape your mindset or career direction, and what has happened since?”
His voice becomes more reflective.
“It gave me clarity and confidence. I gained the right technical foundation and finally knew I was on the correct path in IT infrastructure. And it made me hungry for more, to learn, to improve, to push myself.”
He continues:
“After the internship, I was offered a full-time role. My teammates are supportive, my managers listen and every day I feel myself growing. It’s been incredible.”
“What would you say to someone thinking about applying for this internship?”
He answers without hesitation.
“Go for it. But prepare yourself. Improve your skills, even on your own. Have the basics. Show the drive. The programme gives mentorship, learning opportunities and support but you must bring your effort too. Don’t wait. Go for it now.”
Quote Spotlight
“The internship gave me the clarity, confidence and technical foundation I needed to grow into the professional I always knew I could become.”
— Damola Daniel Odubote, Former Brodies LLP Intern