Empowering Young Professionals Through Internships: Insights from the Intechship Workshop

What started as concept note is now shaping the way internships are perceived by young people in the world of work

According to recent data from Nigeria’s National Labour Force Survey (Q1 2024), 14.4% of youth aged 15-24 are NEET, with slightly higher rates among young women. Meanwhile, youth unemployment in this cohort stands at about 8.4%, compared to ~5.3% for the overall working-age population.

In this article, we explore two WSA ambassadors, Queenesther Michael Hogan and Utenwo-ojo Abraham, who saw their presence in WSA as more than an opportunity for themselves but building for others too by founding the Intechship Initiative. The inaugural Intechship Workshop, held on 6th September 2025, was dedicated to preparing young people for the future of work through structured internships. With studies showing that those with internship experience have ~12.6% higher probability of being invited for job interviews, the Intechship’s mission to bridge the gap between learning and meaningful employment holds real promise.

The workshop highlighted the power of internships as catalysts for career growth and provided participants with practical strategies to thrive as interns while building long-term professional resilience.

Keynote and Opening

The workshop opened with a powerful keynote address by Utenwo-ojo Abraham, who spoke on “The Power of Internships in Shaping Careers.” Drawing from her experiences, she emphasized that internships are not simply stepping stones but transformative platforms that shape values, skills, and career trajectories.

Adding to the momentum, Mr. Emmanuel Amos, the WSA Nigeria National Expert, joined virtually via Zoom to deliver a stirring charge. He highlighted the role of platforms like WSA in championing youth-led innovations and admonished participants to embrace internships as both a responsibility and an opportunity to drive change. His words reminded attendees that beyond skill-building, internships cultivate a mindset of service, curiosity, and adaptability.

Power-Packed Learning Sessions

The workshop featured a diverse lineup of seasoned facilitators in the world of work who unpacked critical aspects of workplace readiness and professional development:

Queenesther Michael Hogan led an insightful session on “Crafting the Ideal CV for Internship Opportunities.” She guided participants through practical strategies for tailoring their CVs, avoiding common mistakes, and positioning themselves as competitive candidates in a crowded talent marketplace.
Omoniyi Lawson facilitated a forward-looking discussion on “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Career and Personal Development.” Participants explored how AI tools can support productivity, learning, and self-branding, while also understanding the importance of ethical use of technology in career building.
Gift Agboro delivered an engaging session on “The ABCs of Networking: Proper Strategies for Career Growth.” She emphasized the importance of building genuine relationships, leveraging both online and offline networks, and approaching networking as a lifelong career strategy rather than a one-time event.

The workshop was moved forward with a breakout session that not only gave participants the opportunity to contribute but also deepened engagement

The two interactive breakout sessions were simultaneously held

Breakout A: “Interning with Character: Why Integrity Matters More Than Titles” – which explored the role of values, accountability, and ethics in building lasting careers. Which was led by Queenesther Michael Hogan
Breakout B: “Personal Branding for Interns: Standing Out in the Workplace” – which equipped participants with strategies to differentiate themselves in professional spaces through authenticity, confidence, and consistency. Which was led by Utenwo-ojo Abraham

The breakout format gave room for participants to talk, interact, and align their learning with personal career goals, ensuring that insights gained were directly applicable to their unique aspirations through case studies.

Key Insights and Takeaways

Several themes emerged across the sessions:

Internships as Catalysts for Growth – Internships go beyond short-term work experiences; they are laboratories where young people can test ideas, acquire transferable skills, and define career paths.
The Power of Storytelling – A well-crafted CV, strong personal brand, and authentic network are ways of telling one’s story in the professional world.
Technology as an Enabler – From AI tools to digital networking platforms, technology is shaping the way interns learn, work, and connect.
Character Above All – Integrity, resilience, and accountability are the enduring currencies that ensure long-term success, even beyond technical skills.

Next Steps: Building Bridges to Opportunities

The workshop convened about 30 young people including its speakers to a room. This is not the end for intechship workshop but only the beginning of what will be a tool in phasing out the NEET problem amongst young people in the world of work using Nigeria as a case study.

As we count days ahead, Intechship has now proceeded to match trained and motivated participants with organizations ready to host them for 3–6 months of structured paid internships. These internships are designed not only to help interns learn but also to provide companies with fresh perspectives and energetic talent across different skill set and cultural backgrounds.

Participants who attended received certificates of attendance, and resources such as session slides have been shared to ensure continuity in their learning journey and interns who would be paired with companies will receive monthly accountability from the intechship team to keep them accountable in their various internship settings.

Reflections

The Intechship Workshop affirmed what we have always believed: young people are eager, energetic, capable, and brimming with potential. What they need are platforms that connect them to opportunities, mentors, and meaningful experiences.

By curating this workshop, Intechship took a step forward in its mission to democratize access to internships that truly matter. The energy in the room was palpable, participants left inspired, more confident, and ready to embrace their journeys as learners and future leaders.

A Call to Action

As we look ahead, we thank the World Summit Office and its founder Mr Peter Bruck for opening their doors for us as we first shared our seemingly scrappy idea in a concept note.

We also invite organizations, startups, and companies to join hands with us by welcoming interns into your teams. For this, you’re not just investing in individuals, you’re contributing to the larger vision of empowering Africa’s next generation of innovators, professionals, and leaders.

Together, we can transform internships into engines of growth, learning, and sustainable impact.

Written by Utenwo-ojo Abraham and Queenesther Michael Hogan