From APNI to Bank of Ireland | Intern Spotlight
What does an internship really mean for someone building their career in Ireland?
For APNI members Joseph and Ayo, their internships at Bank of Ireland offered more than professional experience. They provided opportunities to develop new skills, build meaningful connections and gain confidence in navigating the workplace.
Through our longstanding partnership with Bank of Ireland, APNI continues to connect members with internship opportunities across the organisation. This year, Joseph and Ayo joined the Group Risk and Group Finance teams, respectively.
Here's what they had to say about their experiences.
Group Risk | Joseph Adeyale
Joseph spent his internship in Bank of Ireland’s Group Risk function. This is his reflection.
“My experience in the Bank of Ireland was amazing! I had the opportunity to work on a breadth of projects within the Group Risk function, alongside the guidance of my manager and the Risk team. I also had the opportunity to shadow my manager to executive function meetings to understand how senior leaders make critical decisions surrounding the risks taken with a bank. I would highly recommend anyone that’s interested to apply for the APNI internships. The experience truly broadened my perspective on what it means to be a professional worker within a top financial institution.”
Group Finance | Ayo Oluokun
Ayo joined the Group Finance team, working in Hedge Accounting. Ayo’s story starts long before the internship did.
From APNI to Bank of Ireland: My Internship Journey
I first found out about APNI while I was still in Nigeria, and I joined as a member three months before I even arrived in Ireland. Looking back, that was one of the best decisions I ever made.
My first real encounter with the network was the LinkedIn career event at the LinkedIn office back in October. I met so many people that day and made connections that have lasted ever since. That event set the tone for everything that followed.
Fast forward to my internship in Group Finance (Hedge Accounting) at Bank of Ireland. The moment I got it, I knew it would be a strong foundation for my professional career in Ireland, and I was determined to make the most of it. Over those three months, I learned how to carry myself properly in the corporate world. I learned to communicate not just with my peers, but with colleagues and senior management too, and that gave me a real level of confidence.
I got to learn directly from seniors in the bank, build long-lasting connections, and sharpen my technical skills, from Microsoft Excel to professional communication. It strengthened my CV in a big way. And from there, I was able to secure my current role. I owe a lot of that to my manager, whose dedication and guidance helped me tailor my CV properly. Her impact played a real part in me landing my current job.
On the last day of my internship, I had the chance to speak with the CFO, Mark Spain. He was so welcoming, and that conversation stayed with me. It made me realise that the bank genuinely valued our presence and was truly rooting for us. We were never just numbers, we were looked out for and cared for, and that meant a great deal.
One of my favourite memories from the internship was simply the friends I made. It was such a diverse, open environment, everyone was ready to learn and willing to help, and that made all the difference.
To new joiners, my advice is this: apply for any role that comes up through APNI. Be active, be engaged, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Come in curious, and the rest will follow. Joining APNI opened doors I couldn’t have opened on my own. I’m deeply grateful for this community, and excited for all that’s still ahead.
Different teams, one message
Although Joseph and Ayo worked in different areas of Bank of Ireland, their experiences highlight something important: access to the right opportunities, supportive mentors and professional networks can make a meaningful difference.
From gaining insight into senior-level decision-making to developing technical skills and building confidence, both interns left with experiences that will continue to shape their careers.
Their stories reflect why partnerships like this matter and why APNI remains committed to connecting talent with opportunities to grow
What’s next?
Your next opportunity could be closer than you think.
Joseph and Ayo's experiences are a reminder of what can happen when you stay connected, get involved and take advantage of opportunities.
Keep an eye on the APNI Jobs Board, newsletter and social media channels for upcoming internships, career opportunities and professional development events.
Let's create more opportunities together.
A special thank you to Bank of Ireland and the managers and teams who supported our interns throughout their journey.
Interested in partnering with APNI to create meaningful opportunities for diverse talent? Get in touch at partnership@apni.ie.
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