→ Meet Ayodeji Eluwande, a proud alum of Treford’s Product Management Bootcamp. In this story, we walk through his transition from a law background into product management, the doubts and wins along the way, and how community, mentorship, and grit helped him land his first tech role.
The Turning Point
Ayodeji Eluwande was in his third year of law school when he made a decision that would change the trajectory of his career forever: he decided that practising law wouldn’t be his lifelong profession.
I discovered some uninteresting things about my career prospects. That made me lose passion, and my interest reduced significantly.
This uncomfortable realisation was the beginning of his transition into product management, a move that would better align with his strengths and curiosity.
Discovering Product Management
It wasn’t until his national youth service that Ayodeji confronted the inevitable question: what would he do instead? During a conversation with his brother, a senior frontend engineer, product management emerged as a potential career option.
My brother suggested three places to learn from,” says Ayodeji. “I chose Treford because I had seen them frequently on my Twitter timeline.
This seemingly small decision would become the first step in Ayodeji’s transformative journey from law graduate to tech professional.
The Treford Experience
As a member of Treford’s Product Management Bootcamp (Cohort VI), Ayodeji went all in. “I made sure not to miss any classes because right from the beginning, I was hooked,” he explains. He credits facilitator Omojo Anwuzia, program manager at Microsoft, for providing an exciting introduction to the world of product management.
The bootcamp experience was intensive yet rewarding. It was a mix of intense work and fun. We were building our product alongside attending live classes.
Beyond just theoretical knowledge, the practical case studies provided during the bootcamp proved invaluable. He notes,
The knowledge gained from the case studies helped me during my subsequent interviews.
The Challenging Job Search
Like many career changers, Ayodeji faced challenges when transitioning into product management. Ayodeji submitted over 100 job applications and conducted several interviews, including one with Meta.
Though that opportunity didn’t pan out. In his words, he saw it as “the beginning of something great”.
The job search tested his resilience.
I sent out around 100 applications, participated in about 10 interviews, and completed numerous assessments. Companies kept saying, ‘we will get back to you.’ I was getting tired, but I soon realized I could have been more productive in my approach to the job applications.
Finding Support Through Mentorship
What kept Ayodeji going during this challenging time? The post-bootcamp mentorship sessions at Treford played a crucial role.
The mentorship pushed me not to give up on my job search. We had alumni from previous cohorts share their job application experiences and how they landed their first roles.
He particularly credits program coordinator Toyin Olasehinde‘s constant reminders to “do the work” as a motivating force during this period.
The Breakthrough
Realizing his application strategy needed refinement, Ayodeji changed his approach to address companies’ specific needs more directly in his applications.
Then came the unexpected opportunity:
One day, I got a call for an interview for a job I had applied for. The role required one year of experience, which I had gathered through the many lessons and case study projects I had worked on. Surprisingly, I was invited to interview; the interview was smooth, and the interviewer—now my manager—made it an interesting experience.
Ayodeji eventually reworked his job strategy—tailoring each application to company needs. It worked.
He landed a position as a product manager at Switch Recycling Innovations, a subsidiary of Polysmart Group.
Growth on the Job
Ayodeji credits his current growth to a supportive team.
Thinking of Making Your Own Transition into Product Management?
Ayodeji’s story proves it’s possible, even without a tech background. Treford’s Product Management Course provides the tools, guidance, and mentorship to help you make your move.
Learn more and join the next cohort.