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 abroad This 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. Chapters 0:00 Introduction – Meet Ziyad 1:30 Growing up in Ethiopia 4:45 Education and humanitarian work 8:20 Moving to Turkey for a PhD scholarship 11:10 Arriving in the United States 15:05 Immigrant struggles and first jobs 19:40 Discovering cybersecurity 25:15 The turning point: cybersecurity training 31:30 Landing the first cybersecurity internship 36:40 Building a career in cybersecurity 42:30 Moving to a global tech company 47:20 The importance of internships 52:00 Leadership and community involvement 58:30 African diaspora identity and unity 1:07:40 Advice for immigrants and young Africans 1:16:30 Final thoughts and closing Connect with Msafiri Podcast 🌍 Website https://www.msafiripodcast.com 🎙 Want to start your own podcast? Isikah offers consultation to help you set up equipment, software, and workflow for professional podcast production. 📩 Business inquiries or sponsorship Visit the website and fill out the contact form. 💛 Support the podcast If you enjoy these conversations and want to support the work, you can donate through the website. Join the Conversation If you enjoyed this episode: 👍 Like 💬 Comment 📤 Share 🔔 Subscribe Your engagement helps more people discover stories from the African diaspora.