From Ethiopia to Cybersecurity: How Ziyad Reinvented His Career in America

In this episode of Msafiri Podcast, we sit down with Ziyad, an Ethiopian immigrant whose journey from Africa to the United States is both inspiring and deeply insightful.Ziyad shares his powerful story of growing up in Ethiopia, pursuing higher education, and eventually moving abroad in search of greater opportunities. What makes his story remarkable is his bold career transformation — transitioning from a business and leadership background into the highly competitive field of cybersecurity in America.Like many immigrants, Ziyad faced challenges adjusting to a new culture, navigating the job market, and overcoming discouragement. Instead of giving up, he invested in education, built new skills, and believed in himself even when others doubted him.Today, he works as a Cybersecurity Analyst, protecting organizations from digital threats while also remaining deeply involved in leadership within the African diaspora community.In this conversation, we discuss:• Growing up in Ethiopia and life before immigration• Moving from Turkey to the United States• The struggles immigrants face when starting over• How Ziyad transitioned from Business to Cybersecurity• The importance of self-belief, networking, and education• Leadership and community involvement in the African diaspora• Lessons for young Africans pursuing opportunities abroadThis episode is a powerful reminder that your starting point does not determine your final destination.If you are an immigrant, student, or someone considering a career change, Ziyad’s journey will inspire you to take the leap and invest in your future.Chapters0:00 Introduction – Meet Ziyad1:30 Growing up in Ethiopia4:45 Education and humanitarian work8:20 Moving to Turkey for a PhD scholarship11:10 Arriving in the United States15:05 Immigrant struggles and first jobs19:40 Discovering cybersecurity25:15 The turning point: cybersecurity training31:30 Landing the first cybersecurity internship36:40 Building a career in cybersecurity42:30 Moving to a global tech company47:20 The importance of internships52:00 Leadership and community involvement58:30 African diaspora identity and unity1:07:40 Advice for immigrants and young Africans1:16:30 Final thoughts and closingConnect with Msafiri Podcast🌍 Websitehttps://www.msafiripodcast.com🎙 Want to start your own podcast?David offers consultation to help you set up equipment, software, and workflow for professional podcast production.📩 Business inquiries or sponsorshipVisit the website and fill out the contact form.💛 Support the podcastIf you enjoy these conversations and want to support the work, you can donate through the website.Join the ConversationIf you enjoyed this episode:👍 Like💬 Comment📤 Share🔔 SubscribeYour engagement helps more people discover stories from the African diaspora. Get full access to Msafiri's Substack at msafiripodcast.substack.com/subscribe