UEFA People stories: Meet Dawit - from architecture in Ethiopia to ICT in Switzerland

Background and early career

My name is Dawit Teum Gebru, and I’m originally from Ethiopia. My professional background is in architecture. I studied and worked in the field for a few years in Ethiopia and China. When I finished high school and joined university, I had two paths I was passionate about: software engineering and architecture.

I’ve always loved drawing. As a kid, I drew a lot, and my dad really encouraged me. In high school, I took technical drawing classes and absolutely loved them; that was my first real step into the world of architecture. I found the creative process deeply fulfilling, especially working on 3D and physical models. I remember spending countless nights in the studio with classmates, building models together. That creative energy was something I truly enjoyed.

Career switch and moving to Switzerland

Then COVID hit, followed by the war in Ethiopia. Everything had to stop and I had to leave the country. When I arrived in Switzerland, continuing in architecture wasn’t feasible. It’s a protected profession here and my degree couldn’t be directly transferred. To work in the field, I would’ve needed to take several French courses (professional proficiency) and spend altogether at least six years earning a Swiss-recognised bachelor’s degree.

So I revisited my original options: architecture and IT. My brother works in IT, and after talking with him and hearing about his experience and those of his colleagues, I realised I might enjoy it too.

Discovering Powercoders and starting fresh

After arriving in Switzerland in March 2024, I spent time sorting out paperwork and permits and studied French for six months as part of my integration. Then I met a friend who told me about Powercoders: a bootcamp that helped him secure a job in IT. He had completed the programme and was already working at a bank.

I joined Powercoders in January 2025. It’s a three-month intensive course designed to support immigrants like me as they transition into IT. People come from all kinds of backgrounds: teachers, accountants, recent graduates and even civil engineers. The programme focuses both on basic coding skills and soft skills; Swiss work culture and adaptability. It’s not about teaching every technical detail in three months, but about helping us become flexible, open to learning and ready to integrate into the Swiss job market.

Career Day at PowercodersZamir Loshi

Internship at UEFA: A new chapter

Powercoders organised a round of speed interviews, which I had the opportunity to attend. Several companies were present, including UEFA. That's when I first met colleagues from UEFA. Shortly afterwards, I was invited for a second interview and ultimately selected for the internship. Now, almost two months into my internship at UEFA, I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I had a good understanding of what working in Switzerland might be like, but UEFA was more than I expected and better than I expected. People are understanding, encouraging and always willing to help.

I work in the ICT team, specifically within Events, Venues and Broadcasters. Some of my tasks include data analysis, cleaning, preparing and visualising data to support decision-making. I also worked on a proposal for fan zone venue design. Typically, pre-match events are planned through written documents and emails. Our proposal suggested using 3D models and animated videos to help municipalities and stakeholders better visualise the space and avoid misunderstandings.

Being able to use my architecture skills in this context was really special. I was trusted and encouraged to bridge my past experience with my new role in IT. I’ve also worked on mock-up applications we have, focusing on UX and UI. While I’m still learning, it has helped me understand user behaviour and how people interact with applications.

Architecture vs. ICT: sparking your creativity

The shift from architecture to ICT has been challenging but rewarding. Some tasks allow me to tap into my creative side, especially data visualisation.

I think creativity comes when you’re comfortable with something. I’m still learning, but I see ways to be creative.

One similarity between the two fields is the self-learning aspect. In university, we had to master digital tools on our own, mostly through YouTube and trial and error.

Sometimes it takes me a few attempts to solve a problem. I might try different approaches, watch tutorials, or ask my colleagues for advice. But I always get to the solution in the end and I really enjoy that learning process.

First day at UEFA with the Champions League trophy!UEFA

Looking ahead: My goals for the next year

Professionally, I’m really excited to continue developing in the data stream. I want to build more confidence by gaining deeper knowledge and hands-on experience. My goal is to work on projects that make a real difference and to continue integrating well into the Swiss work culture.

I’ve also started pursuing certifications through platforms like Coursera and DataCamp. I’m trying to collect as many as I can and absorb as much knowledge as possible about data analysis and visualisation. It’s a lot to learn, but I’m enjoying the process.

On a personal level, I have two big goals. First, I want to learn how to ski this winter. I’ve never tried it before and it feels like a rite of passage living in Switzerland! Second, I’ve set myself a challenge: to visit 35 countries by the time I turn 35. I’ve got five years to go and I’ve visited around seven or eight so far: Ethiopia, China, Poland, Switzerland, Belarus, Belgium, and the Netherlands. So I’ve got 28 more to go! (laughs)

Luckily, Europe is much smaller than Ethiopia, which, by the way, is about the size of France, Germany, Switzerland, and almost Austria combined. So I’m optimistic I’ll get there!