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Tech, Mentoring and Me
Tell us about yourself?
I am Folashade Adegoke. A Product Manager at an engineering start-up in Lagos, Nigeria. I am dedicated, tenacious, and resilient. I am very accepting of the concept of learning and unlearning which I think is a very vital aspect of life. I am always willing to pick up a new skill as long as it helps to solve a problem.
Personally, my interests include doing some yoga, swimming, watching shows on investigation discovery or food network channels. I think black is the best color in the world.
What led you to a career in tech?
My journey into tech wasn’t planned. I like to give all the accolades to my amazing husband who encouraged me to try a career path in tech at the time in my life when I took a sabbatical during the Covid-19 pandemic to figure out my career next steps. You see, at the time I had previously worked as a customer experience professional in the banking sector after having graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering from the prestigious Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana.
I was unfulfilled at my job and knew deep down that I was destined for more and so I took the leap of faith. I started off trying different paths, such as front-end development, UI/UX and product management (found out I loved it here then stayed), and here I am.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day for me starts by checking the status of the products I manage. Then I move on to having daily stand-up meetings with my different cross-functional teams. I then go on to manage and update the tasks on JIRA/Trello depending on the tool in use for the particular product. After that, I go on to other activities lined up for the day. I also take some time to check industry trends and see what’s new in the industry.
On some days I spend my time developing product roadmaps, user flows, drawing wireframes, or being involved in more strategic and leadership functions.
Interestingly, no two days are exactly the same and that’s one of the many refreshing aspects of being a Product Manager.
Advice to your younger self?
My advice to my younger self will be to go for what I want knowing fully well that the sky is only the starting point and there’s no limit to what one can achieve if one sets their mind to it.
If you could invite anyone to join the Black Valley community, who and why?
If I could invite anyone to join the Black Valley community it will be my friend Olaide Bankole-Ojo, fondly called Jamal. He is an exceptional Product Manager and mentor who loves to share his experiences, time, and knowledge with those around him.
Final thoughts?...
When I am not being a Product Manager, I love to help people in any capacity that I can, be it in their career journey or personal life. I’m always so happy when I can solve someone’s needs and that is what has made me resonate with the community here at Black Valley.
I’d also like to add that being in the Black Valley community has been the highlight of my career journey. I have been exposed to many people that naturally I wouldn’t have met, all who have been very instrumental to my growth and life as a whole. I have made so many friends and I am so grateful to the Black Valley team and wish so many people can experience what I have by being part of this family.
