In this episode of Hacker Valley Studio, we dive into the inspiring journey of Zinet Kamal, an immigrant from Ethiopia who has carved a niche for herself in cybersecurity. Despite starting her journey with limited access to technology and not having mentors until 2020, Zinet's resilience and passion led her to become a cloud security engineer at a Fortune 500 company. Her story is a testament to the human spirit's capability to overcome barriers and make significant strides in the tech industry.
 
This episode is a story of personal growth, cultural transitions, and the drive to empower the next generation through education and cybersecurity awareness. As a mother of four, a multi-award-winning cybersecurity advocate, and a best-selling author, Zinet brings a unique perspective on the importance of diversity in tech and the role of mentorship in shaping future leaders.
00:00 - Welcome
01:32 - Introducing Guest, Zinet Kemal
03:09 - Growing up in Africa
07:12 - “I Never Had a Children’s Book”
12:52 - Culture Shock
16:02 - From Legal to Cybersecurity
18:50 - CCDC Competition
21:55 - Role of Community in Resetting
24:34 - “Oh No… Hacked Again!”
30:00 - Online Safety Empowerment
34:50 - Moving up in Cyber
 
Links:
Connect with Zinet Kemal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinetkemal/
Zinet’s LinkedIn Course: 
https://www.linkedin.com/learning/cybersecurity-careers-build-your-brand-in-cybersecurity/grow-your-cybersecurity-career-with-personal-branding?course
Check out Zinet's Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Zinet-Kemal/author/B099P5B8FD
Watch Zinet's TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J61K1Gu97jM
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