Precious Onojerame: Finding His Future in AI and Machine Learning

For Precious, technology has always been about creativity, curiosity, and impact. Inspired by his father, an electrical engineer who loved building creative projects, Precious was drawn to tech from a young age. “Watching him bring ideas to life sparked my excitement for what technology could do,” he shares. That early spark turned into a lifelong passion, one he’s now pursuing through a career in AI and machine learning.

Currently serving as a Fellow Ambassador for the 2025 – 2026 academic year, Precious is one of Break Through Tech’s energetic and enthusiastic advocates. Fellow Ambassadors play a key role in cultivating and highlighting the expansive community network at Break Through Tech while supporting its mission to change the path to power in a tech-enabled world.

Discovering Break Through Tech

Precious first learned about Break Through Tech from his mentor and computer science professor. Encouraged by that connection, he applied to the AI Program, which would be an experience that would shape not only his technical foundation but his career goals.

“This program has strengthened my passion for AI/ML and clarified my career direction,” he explains. “While I had always envisioned myself as an Embedded Software Engineer, I now see my path more clearly in AI/ML integration, specifically as an AI/ML Engineer.”

Hands-On Learning and Leadership

During the Break Through Tech AI Program, Precious gained hands-on experience applying the full machine learning lifecycle. “I gained experience in understanding business problems, exploring and preprocessing data, conducting analysis, performing feature engineering, developing and evaluating models, and finally deploying them for practical use,” he says.

These skills proved invaluable as he began working on his Challenge Project with Salesforce, where he’s taken on leadership roles as both project manager and tech lead. “I learned how to break down complex requirements into smaller, structured tasks and assign them in a way that was both measurable and efficient,” he explains. “This accomplishment matters to me because it reflects not only my technical growth but also my ability to lead and collaborate effectively in a real-world, team-based environment.”

A Vision for the Future

Precious’s journey with Break Through Tech has also deepened his sense of purpose in the field. “The AI field holds enormous potential for growth across both software and hardware industries, and I am eager to contribute to that progress,” he says. “More importantly, I am committed to doing my part to ensure that this growth promotes equity and inclusivity in the AI space.”

Looking ahead, Precious hopes to build a career that blends technical excellence with social impact. “I aspire to work in a field that gives me the autonomy to choose what to build and how to build it, while also growing into a leadership role where I can use my influence to uplift people from underserved communities.”

He also believes in the importance of ethical and responsible innovation: “My hope for the future of technology is that as we continue to create groundbreaking innovations, we also take responsibility for building the guardrails that ensure safety and accountability.”

Advice for Future Fellows

When asked what advice he’d give to students considering Break Through Tech’s programs, Precious doesn’t hesitate:

“Do it! This program is an excellent way to get your feet wet in the ML/AI space, which is full of opportunities for growth and impact. Beyond the technical skills, you’ll find a supportive community that encourages learning and collaboration.”

Break Through Tech has been a catalyst in Precious’s journey, helping him transform his passion into purpose. The program not only shaped his career direction but also deepened his commitment to building a more inclusive and ethical future in AI. As he continues to grow as a leader and innovator, Precious hopes to use his voice and skills to ensure that technology empowers and represents everyone.