Electrical Engineering Major to Help Advance Apple’s Chip Technology

Opeyeoluwa Olanipekun, an electrical engineering major from Ibadan, Nigeria, will begin his career this summer at Apple Inc.'s headquarters in Cupertino, California. The Alabama A&M University senior has accepted a position as an Embedded System on Chip (SOC) Engineer, following a successful internship with the tech leader last summer.

“I’ll be writing low-level code to help improve Apple chips across their product lines,” said Olanipekun. “The chance to contribute to technology that impacts billions of people around the world is both humbling and thrilling.”

Olanipekun’s journey to Alabama A&M began with a Presidential Scholarship, which he credits as life-changing.

“I applied to a lot of schools, and A&M took a chance on me,” he said. “That full-ride scholarship, along with a recommendation from someone dear to me – Mr. Ray Jackson of the New Seasons Youth Program – made my decision easy. Coming here was one of the best choices I’ve ever made.”

Throughout his time on The Hill, Olanipekun has stood out as a campus leader and innovator. He played an integral role in several organizations, serving as a leader in the Special Projects Laboratory, founding president of the University’s Google Developer Student Club chapter, executive board member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), a member of the Honors Program, and captain of the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge team.

Reflecting on what he’ll miss most, Olanipekun recalled the everyday moments that made his experience special.

“I’ll miss walking and biking around campus, playing soccer with friends on the old training field, the shared dinners, the spontaneous run-ins, and the deep conversations in the café,” he said. “I’ll also miss my professors' unwavering support and how they noticed things in me that I hadn’t yet recognized in myself.”

Looking ahead, Olanipekun aspires to one day become Chief Technology Officer of a leading tech company. He says he’ll return to The Hill and plans to keep in touch with the many connections he’s made.

“A river that forgets its roots will eventually dry up,” he said. “I want to stay connected to the people and the place that helped shape me.”

As he takes this next step in his journey, Olanipekun leaves fellow Bulldogs with a message.

“‘Start Here, Go Anywhere,’ – it’s not just a motto, it’s real. Put in your absolute best and make the most of your time on this campus. Service is Sovereignty. Serve your community and strive to be a positive force in the world. We owe it to ourselves and others to succeed and to make an impact.”