Alumni Spotlight: Obianuju O.
We’re excited to launch our new alumni spotlight series, where we’ll be sharing inspiring stories from former students who’ve been through our programs — showing just how far they’ve come and how our community continues to grow and thrive. Each conversation with a First Tech Fund alum is an opportunity to reflect on what’s been most beneficial for our students and how they’ve been impacted through their participation in our programming and partnership with our staff. These conversations also remind us that there is much more support that we can offer students across New York City and that we can expand our impact with the support of additional generous funders.
Obianuju joined First Tech Fund during the 2021-2022 year as part of cohort 2, while a sophomore at University Heights High School in the Bronx. Over the year, First Tech Fund helped Obianuju learn how to navigate high school while transitioning out of the COVID-19 pandemic, introducing her to different skills and opportunities that she would utilize throughout her high school career. By staying in touch with the program for her remaining years in high school, First Tech Fund was able to prepare her for post-secondary education through interview prep, application review, scholarship sessions, and much more.
Now as a Rising Sophomore at Bucknell University, Obianuju is studying mechanical engineering and is also involved in several organizations and opportunities, including summer 2025 research in a biomechanics lab at Bucknell under a professor in mechanical engineering, a member of the National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Women Engineer, and Bucknell’s African and Caribbean Student Association where she serves as the club’s secretary while also focusing on building community and making space for everyone to feel welcomed and thrive.
We recently connected with Obianuju to talk about her favorite First Tech Fund memories, her current studies, and more. Read below to hear her perspective in her own words:
When you started at First Tech Fund as a Fellow, what were some of the things you were looking for support with?
When I first joined First Tech Fund, I was just a sophomore in high school who had no idea what their future would hold. Though my main goal was to get into a beautiful university, I had no idea what degree I wanted to pursue nor what kind of university I wished to attend. Upon joining First Tech Fund I was lost. I was fresh out of remote high school for one year, and felt so behind. In this program, I was looking for guidance, community, and support. I was looking for mentorship, someone that I can follow in the example of, so I could mold my life in the way that best fits me.
What was the favorite part of the program you were a part of?
My favorite part of the program was the different workshops taught to us by Hana and Josue. During my time in the program, Hana and Josue used to deliver the workshop presentations to us. Yes, I loved the information given to us, but what really made me love attending these sessions was the fact that the co-founders of the program were the ones presenting to us. In some programs I have been a member of, the CEO of the company is only ever present for "important" events (i.e. graduation, orientation, etc.) because of their busy schedule and other various reasons. So, the fact that the founders of the program were our hosts, and always enthusiastic to teach us really warmed my heart, and made me feel apart of the First Tech Fund community. Even when more staff were brought onto the First Tech Fund team, Hana and Josue still make the effort to show up at meetings and in-person events. To students, it really shows how much they care and how much they want to be around the students they are uplifting.
What is something you learned at FTF that you continue to value today?
Networking is a crucial skill I learned from First Tech Fund that I continue to value today. I love talking to people, hearing their stories, and learning what makes them who they are. However, the path to getting to these conversations is something I always struggle with. Thanks to First Tech Fund, their networking workshops, and in-person events, I was able to practice my networking skills. I am now more confident in my networking skills than I ever was. I won’t say that I am an excellent networker; I still have much to improve on. I can say that I am not as nervous about talking to people I don’t know as I once was, and this is all thanks to First Tech Fund.
Can you tell us about an interesting person that you met via First Tech Fund? What did they teach you that helps you today in your work or in your studies?
One interesting person that I met via First Tech Fund would be Josue. During my time in the program, it allowed me to really get to know more about him and his journey to where he is now. From what I learned, one thing he taught me that helps me to this day is to never give up on your dreams, work hard towards them, and even when they seem impossible to accomplish, keep going! Josue’s journey to becoming the CEO of First Tech Fund is truly inspirational. Coming from humble beginnings, to now being the CEO of an amazing non-profit that gives back to students is truly inspirational. As I work towards my degree, I know it will get hard, and I know that giving up will sometimes feel like my only option. However, looking back at the lessons learned from First Tech Fund and Josue, I know that I must persevere. Through his guidance, I know there is so much in this world I have yet to accomplish, so many successes waiting for me to find them. The suffering towards my dreams is only temporary, but the happiness others and I will receive once I get there will last forever.
What are you doing now and what are some of your goals for the next couple of years?
As a rising sophomore, I am committed to deepening my passion for engineering both inside and outside the classroom. This summer, I took the initiative to pursue hands-on experience, securing a research student position in a biomechanics lab under the guidance of a Mechanical Engineering Professor at my university. This opportunity has allowed me to apply my engineering and CAD skills learned in the classroom to real problems while also gaining practical research skills. A key deliverable of this summer's work will be preparing for a poster presentation of my research findings.
In addition to my research, this summer I also jumped at the opportunity to become a peer mentor for the Engineering EXCELerator program. Having participated in this introductory engineering program myself as an incoming first-year student, I was more than eager to give back by guiding incoming engineering students to success through my learned experiences and knowledge.
Looking ahead to the academic year, I plan to explore the other capabilities of my engineering degree by working at the 7th Street Makerspace. 7th Street is a Makerspace on campus where people of any major can use it to bring their creative projects to life. I will also be serving as an Orientation Assistant for the incoming class of 2029, where I’ll have the opportunity to welcome incoming freshmen to Bucknell, showing them what makes the University so great!
Finally, my long-term aspirations include potentially pursuing a Master's degree in mechanical engineering, which would allow me to conduct more in-depth, focused research on a topic of my choosing. Alternatively, I am working hard to obtain an internship opportunity at a biotechnology/medical technology company that will prepare me for a job in mechanical engineering in the workforce.
If there’s one thing you’d want to share about the First Tech Fund’s resources and community of support, what would it be?
Without the technology First Tech Fund provided me I know that submitting assignments and learning material would’ve been very hard for me during my time in high school. Before the support from First Tech Fund, I didn’t have a personal laptop that I could do my work on, nor one I could transport to and from school. With their support in providing me with a laptop, I never again had to worry about which device I would be able to use to complete my assignments and learn the necessary information for class. Their technology helped me throughout the remainder of my high school career, especially during the college application process. With the technology they gave me back in my sophomore year, I was able to apply to all my universities and get accepted into Bucknell University, the institution I am currently attending!
First Tech Fund is serious about wanting success for their current fellows and alumni! Whether it is providing fellows with the technology they need for school, doing workshops that range from managing finances as an adult to FAFSA for college applications, or just being an ear to listen, all fellows have benefited from the program in some way. The co-founders aren’t strangers to the fellows; they are active members of the community who take time to teach us and bond with us. This program takes us on experiences like: Broadway shows, game nights, company meet and greets, and so much more. First Tech Fund’s community is out of this world, and the alumni are always willing to lend a helping hand in program affairs. I’ve never felt more at home in a program.
Thank you, First Tech Fund.