OLUMA COMMUNITY The Story Wall Real people. Real turning points. Real lessons. Discover the experiences that brought members of our community into cybersecurity — and the stories that can help someone else take their next step. ✦ Every story has the power to protect, encourage, or inspire someone else. 💬 ✎ ♥ ★ ↗ ◈ ⬢ Founder Story THE FOUNDER’S STORY My biggest goal was not to guarantee success. It was to make sure that, one day, I would never have to blame myself for not trying. Five years into my cybersecurity journey, I founded Oluma with one main goal: to build a bridge between cybersecurity knowledge, resources, and opportunities and the ordinary people who need them — and anyone who aspires to enter this field. My decision to come to America was never really a decision to stay. I left Ethiopia with the intention of studying and eventually returning back home. I never imagined that America would become a permanent part of my life. Somehow, life had a different plan for me. Here I am, more than ten years later. When I first had to face the reality of American life, I didn’t know much. All I knew was one thing: I had to work. But what kind of work? What career? What direction? I had no idea. For the first few years, much of my life was about simply learning how to navigate a new country — the culture, the people, the systems, and the realities of starting over. Unfortunately, there weren’t many people around me who could show me the path or tell me, “This is where you should go. This is how you get there.” My academic and professional interests had always been rooted in the social sciences. Public administration, management, leadership, governance, and humanitarian affairs were the areas that attracted me. That was the background I had built through my previous studies and experiences. Technology and cybersecurity were not part of that picture. So, like many people starting over, I worked. I worked in different places and took different opportunities, not necessarily because I believed they were where I belonged, but because I needed to keep moving forward. Deep down, I often knew: “This is not where I am meant to stay.” But I hadn’t yet figured out where I was meant to go. What I did know was that I had the potential to change my direction. And I have always been passionate about learning. Cybersecurity was never an area I imagined myself studying. I had some interest in IT and technology, but there were times when I felt that the field was simply out of reach for me. Still, among the paths I could have taken, technology felt closest to my heart. So I decided to start from scratch. I learned the basics. I invested my time, energy, and resources into learning. Eventually, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life: I committed myself to a full cybersecurity program at the University of Michigan, despite coming from a completely different academic background and having very little professional IT experience. If I want to change my situation, I have to invest in my education and invest in myself. I didn’t know whether it would lead to a job. I didn’t know whether it would work out. But I knew one thing: At least I would never blame myself for not trying. If it opened the door to a career, Alhamdulillah. And if it didn’t, I would still have the satisfaction of knowing that I had taken a chance on myself. Fortunately, it paid off in ways I never expected. I eventually entered the cybersecurity profession, built my career, and continued learning and growing. Five years into my cybersecurity journey, I founded Oluma with one main goal: WHY OLUMA EXISTS Building a bridge to cybersecurity. To build a bridge between cybersecurity knowledge, resources, and opportunities and the ordinary people who need them — and anyone who aspires to enter this field. I know what it feels like to be interested in something but not know where to begin. I know what it feels like to look at a field and think, “Maybe this isn’t for someone like me.” And I know how difficult it can be when you don’t have someone to show you the way. That is the gap I want Oluma to help close. Because I believe if there is a will, there is a way to succeed. Your starting point may not be ideal. You may not have the right connections. You may not have a technical background. You may even feel like you are starting too late. But with the willingness to learn, persistence, the right guidance, and access to the right resources, you can change your direction. LOOKING BACK The risk was worth it. When I look back today, I genuinely appreciate the decision I made and the risk I took. It wasn’t easy. It required sacrifice, uncertainty, and a significant investment in myself. But it paid off far beyond the career itself. The flexibility that came with my cybersecurity career has significantly benefited my life and my family. It gave me opportunities and a quality of life I could not have imagined when I was simply trying to find my way. And perhaps that is the biggest lesson from my journey: You don’t always need to know exactly where the road will take you. Sometimes, you just need the courage to take the first step. I took that step. And it changed my life. ⬢ Founder, Oluma Cyber Security Ethiopia → Michigan · social sciences → cybersecurity A REAL STORY · SHARED WITH CARE When one click costs a lifetime of savings. “ Scam survivor · shared to protect you It began with one alarming message on her screen. It ended with the savings of a lifetime gone. A member of our community — an immigrant who worked hard for many years to support a large family — went through something she never imagined could happen to her. One day, an alarming message suddenly appeared on her computer screen. It claimed her computer had been compromised and told her to call a phone number immediately. Concerned and frightened, she called. The people on the other end sounded professional and convincing. They told her that her computer and personal information were under their control, and they created a sense of urgency — she had to act immediately to protect herself and her finances. For hours, they manipulated her through fear, pressure, and deception. They instructed her to move money and to follow their directions exactly. By the time she realized what was happening, it was already too late. She had lost nearly $70,000 — the savings she had worked years to build. The money was gone. She contacted her bank. She reported the incident to law enforcement. The investigation pointed overseas, and recovering the funds proved nearly impossible. The process was overwhelming, costly, and emotionally exhausting. In the end, she made the difficult decision to move on and focus on rebuilding her life. The financial loss was devastating, but the emotional impact was even greater. She carried embarrassment, frustration, and disbelief. Scammers don’t succeed because people are careless. They succeed because they know how to exploit fear, urgency, trust, and confusion. The truth is simple: scammers are professional manipulators. Her story is a reminder that cybersecurity is not just about technology — it is about people. Many who are targeted never share their experience because they feel ashamed or fear being judged. But every story shared has the power to protect someone else. Cybercriminals only need one moment of fear to succeed — and knowledge and awareness can be the difference between losing everything and staying protected. ♥ Shared anonymously A member of the Oluma community LEARN FROM THE STORY Know the shape of the scam. What happened to her is one of the most common scams in the world — the “tech-support” or pop-up scam. Learning its shape is one of the best forms of protection. ⚠ Warning signs A sudden pop-up or message says your computer is infected or “compromised” and gives a number to call. Intense urgency and fear — “act now,” “don’t hang up,” or “don’t tell anyone.” A request to move money, buy gift cards, or let someone connect to your computer remotely. A caller claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, your bank, or “security.” ✓ What to do instead Don’t call the number. Close the browser, or shut the computer down and restart it. Never move money or grant remote access because someone on the phone told you to. Hang up, take a breath, and call your bank and a trusted person using a number you know is real. If it has already happened, you are not alone. Report it and reach out. ADD YOUR VOICE Share your story. Whether your story is a warning or a triumph — a scam that cost you, a close call, a loved one targeted, or a leap into a new career — we want to hear it. 1 Where you started — your background before cyber. 2 Your first brush with cybersecurity — a scam you nearly fell for, money lost, an account compromised, or a moment that opened your eyes. 3 The turning point — what made you decide to learn and keep going. 4 Where you are now — and what you’d tell someone just starting. ✍ Share your story Prefer to stay anonymous? Just say so — we’ll respect it completely. You can also reach out on our social channels. Stories are real experiences shared by members of the Oluma community, published with permission and lightly edited for length and clarity. Names are withheld whenever someone asks. If you’d like your story anonymized further or removed at any time, just let us know.
THE FOUNDER’S STORY My biggest goal was not to guarantee success. It was to make sure that, one day, I would never have to blame myself for not trying. Five years into my cybersecurity journey, I founded Oluma with one main goal: to build a bridge between cybersecurity knowledge, resources, and opportunities and the ordinary people who need them — and anyone who aspires to enter this field. My decision to come to America was never really a decision to stay. I left Ethiopia with the intention of studying and eventually returning back home. I never imagined that America would become a permanent part of my life. Somehow, life had a different plan for me. Here I am, more than ten years later. When I first had to face the reality of American life, I didn’t know much. All I knew was one thing: I had to work. But what kind of work? What career? What direction? I had no idea. For the first few years, much of my life was about simply learning how to navigate a new country — the culture, the people, the systems, and the realities of starting over. Unfortunately, there weren’t many people around me who could show me the path or tell me, “This is where you should go. This is how you get there.” My academic and professional interests had always been rooted in the social sciences. Public administration, management, leadership, governance, and humanitarian affairs were the areas that attracted me. That was the background I had built through my previous studies and experiences. Technology and cybersecurity were not part of that picture. So, like many people starting over, I worked. I worked in different places and took different opportunities, not necessarily because I believed they were where I belonged, but because I needed to keep moving forward. Deep down, I often knew: “This is not where I am meant to stay.” But I hadn’t yet figured out where I was meant to go. What I did know was that I had the potential to change my direction. And I have always been passionate about learning. Cybersecurity was never an area I imagined myself studying. I had some interest in IT and technology, but there were times when I felt that the field was simply out of reach for me. Still, among the paths I could have taken, technology felt closest to my heart. So I decided to start from scratch. I learned the basics. I invested my time, energy, and resources into learning. Eventually, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life: I committed myself to a full cybersecurity program at the University of Michigan, despite coming from a completely different academic background and having very little professional IT experience. If I want to change my situation, I have to invest in my education and invest in myself. I didn’t know whether it would lead to a job. I didn’t know whether it would work out. But I knew one thing: At least I would never blame myself for not trying. If it opened the door to a career, Alhamdulillah. And if it didn’t, I would still have the satisfaction of knowing that I had taken a chance on myself. Fortunately, it paid off in ways I never expected. I eventually entered the cybersecurity profession, built my career, and continued learning and growing. Five years into my cybersecurity journey, I founded Oluma with one main goal: WHY OLUMA EXISTS Building a bridge to cybersecurity. To build a bridge between cybersecurity knowledge, resources, and opportunities and the ordinary people who need them — and anyone who aspires to enter this field. I know what it feels like to be interested in something but not know where to begin. I know what it feels like to look at a field and think, “Maybe this isn’t for someone like me.” And I know how difficult it can be when you don’t have someone to show you the way. That is the gap I want Oluma to help close. Because I believe if there is a will, there is a way to succeed. Your starting point may not be ideal. You may not have the right connections. You may not have a technical background. You may even feel like you are starting too late. But with the willingness to learn, persistence, the right guidance, and access to the right resources, you can change your direction. LOOKING BACK The risk was worth it. When I look back today, I genuinely appreciate the decision I made and the risk I took. It wasn’t easy. It required sacrifice, uncertainty, and a significant investment in myself. But it paid off far beyond the career itself. The flexibility that came with my cybersecurity career has significantly benefited my life and my family. It gave me opportunities and a quality of life I could not have imagined when I was simply trying to find my way. And perhaps that is the biggest lesson from my journey: You don’t always need to know exactly where the road will take you. Sometimes, you just need the courage to take the first step. I took that step. And it changed my life. ⬢ Founder, Oluma Cyber Security Ethiopia → Michigan · social sciences → cybersecurity
“ Scam survivor · shared to protect you It began with one alarming message on her screen. It ended with the savings of a lifetime gone. A member of our community — an immigrant who worked hard for many years to support a large family — went through something she never imagined could happen to her. One day, an alarming message suddenly appeared on her computer screen. It claimed her computer had been compromised and told her to call a phone number immediately. Concerned and frightened, she called. The people on the other end sounded professional and convincing. They told her that her computer and personal information were under their control, and they created a sense of urgency — she had to act immediately to protect herself and her finances. For hours, they manipulated her through fear, pressure, and deception. They instructed her to move money and to follow their directions exactly. By the time she realized what was happening, it was already too late. She had lost nearly $70,000 — the savings she had worked years to build. The money was gone. She contacted her bank. She reported the incident to law enforcement. The investigation pointed overseas, and recovering the funds proved nearly impossible. The process was overwhelming, costly, and emotionally exhausting. In the end, she made the difficult decision to move on and focus on rebuilding her life. The financial loss was devastating, but the emotional impact was even greater. She carried embarrassment, frustration, and disbelief. Scammers don’t succeed because people are careless. They succeed because they know how to exploit fear, urgency, trust, and confusion. The truth is simple: scammers are professional manipulators. Her story is a reminder that cybersecurity is not just about technology — it is about people. Many who are targeted never share their experience because they feel ashamed or fear being judged. But every story shared has the power to protect someone else. Cybercriminals only need one moment of fear to succeed — and knowledge and awareness can be the difference between losing everything and staying protected. ♥ Shared anonymously A member of the Oluma community