Let’s be honest—when people hear petroleum engineering, they picture offshore rigs, safety helmets, and complicated machinery deep in the middle of the ocean. But for Adeola, his journey didn’t just end there. Instead of spending a lifetime surrounded by oil barrels and drilling reports, he made a daring pivot—straight into the world of software engineering. And not just that—he leveraged his startup experience and problem-solving skills to secure the UK Global Talent Visa (GTV)
If you’re an engineer (whether in oil and gas, civil, mechanical, or even a self-taught techie), and you’ve been wondering, “Can I position myself for global opportunities?”, Adeola’s story is all the proof you need.
The Unexpected Tech Journey: How It All Began
Adeola never planned to be a software engineer. His life was mapped out—study petroleum engineering, get a solid job in oil and gas, and ride the waves (literally and figuratively). But as fate would have it, the global oil industry started getting shaky, and he found himself questioning his long-term prospects.
“I remember thinking—will I be doing this forever? What if I wanted something more flexible, something with more global opportunities?” Adeola shared during his interview.
At first, he toyed with coding—just a few courses here and there. But soon, he realized that his engineering background gave him a unique problem-solving mindset that translated well into software development. Before he knew it, he was deep into learning programming languages, solving real-world problems, and building tech solutions.
And then came the big break—a Founding Engineer role at a startup. This wasn’t just about writing code; it was about building something from scratch, collaborating with a team, and wearing multiple hats.
“One day, I was debugging code, the next day, I was in a product meeting explaining system architecture. It was chaotic but exciting!” Adeola recalled with a laugh.
But this wasn’t just any role. His work was high-impact, innovative, and industry-recognized—exactly the kind of profile that could qualify for the UK Global Talent Visa.
The “Aha!” Moment: Realizing He Had a Global Opportunity
At some point, Adeola noticed something interesting—many top-tier tech professionals were securing the UK Global Talent Visa based on their contributions.
“I saw people with similar backgrounds getting endorsed, and I thought—why not me? I had startup experience, I had built scalable systems, and I had the receipts to prove it.”
That realization set him on a focused mission to position himself as a global tech leader.
✅ He documented his impact—from technical contributions to product improvements.
✅ He networked with industry professionals and sought testimonials from peers.
✅ He highlighted his work in the tech ecosystem—blog posts, public speaking, open-source contributions.
And most importantly, he tailored his Global Talent Visa application to emphasize innovation, leadership, and industry impact.
The Visa Application Process: Highlighting the Right Evidence
Adeola knew that just being a good engineer wasn’t enough—he needed to prove that he was exceptional.
🔹 Founding Engineer Credentials – He showed how his role was instrumental in shaping a startup’s success, from product development to scaling tech infrastructure.
🔹 Innovation & Technical Contributions – He provided detailed documentation of how his work impacted efficiency, performance, and business growth.
🔹 Industry Recognition – He got recommendations from peers, senior engineers, and tech leaders who vouched for his expertise.
“The endorsement letters were tricky—I had to find people who could validate my work in a way that aligned with the GTV criteria. It felt like writing a LinkedIn recommendation on steroids!” Adeola joked.
After a thorough application, the result came in—and he got endorsed!
“I was just staring at my email like—Wait, is this real? Is this an error? Should I refresh?!” Adeola recalled.
But it wasn’t an error. It was the beginning of a new chapter—a move to the UK, a thriving career in tech, and endless global opportunities.
Lessons from Adeola’s Journey: How Engineers Can Go Global
If you’re an engineer looking to transition into tech and global opportunities, Adeola’s story has some key takeaways:
✔️ Your past experience is an asset – Whether you started in petroleum, mechanical, civil, or electrical engineering, your analytical and problem-solving skills are highly valuable in tech.
✔️ Position yourself strategically – It’s not just about switching careers; it’s about showcasing how your contributions impact the industry.
✔️ Document everything – When applying for global visas or opportunities, having evidence of your impact (projects, recommendations, industry recognition) is critical.
✔️ Be bold enough to apply – Adeola didn’t wait for someone to tap him on the shoulder—he took the initiative, built a strong case, and applied.
How Glotale Can Help You Secure the Global Talent Visa
Adeola’s journey wasn’t easy, but with the right guidance and strategic positioning, you too can achieve the same success. That’s where Glotale comes in.
🚀 ADMISSIONS AND EDUCATIONAL CONSULTING
We help you navigate the educational landscape, whether it’s for university admissions, vocational colleges, or specialized training.
📈 GLOBAL TALENT COACHING
The GTV process can be complex, but we offer end-to-end guidance to ensure you present a strong application that highlights your expertise and impact.
🎯 SKILLS TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICE
We equip individuals and organizations with essential skills to thrive in the global marketplace, from technical training to professional development.
If you’re serious about making the leap into global opportunities, let us help you strategize your journey just like we did for Adeola.
Want to Hear the Full Interview?
We had an amazing sit-down with Adeola, where he broke down his exact journey, key mistakes to avoid, and insider tips for engineers looking to apply for the Global Talent Visa.
👉 Read his full interview and application breakdown here:
Your Engineering Career Can Go Global—Are You Ready?
Adeola’s story isn’t just about a career switch—it’s about unlocking international opportunities by strategically positioning himself as a global talent.
If you’re a software engineer, startup founder, or an engineer looking to transition into tech, now is the time to start building your GTV application strategy.
🔹 Need guidance on how to structure your application? Stay tuned for our next blog post, where we’ll break down the exact steps to make your GTV endorsement stand out.
🔹 Want to connect with professionals like Adeola who have successfully secured the Global Talent Visa? Join our upcoming Webinar on February 28th featuring Dr. Yemisi Adedeji, where we’ll dive deep into how to position yourself for success.
💡 Remember: Your engineering journey doesn’t have to stay local—take it global!