UEFA has highlighted the professional journey of Dawit Teum Gebru, an Ethiopian national who transitioned from a career in architecture to a role in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) within the organization. The profile, part of the UEFA People stories series, details how Dawit secured an internship at UEFA after relocating to Switzerland.
Academic Background and Early Career
Dawit Teum Gebru began his professional life in the field of architecture, having studied and worked in both Ethiopia and China. During his university years, he balanced a passion for both software engineering and architecture.
His interest in architecture was rooted in a lifelong love for drawing, encouraged by his father. In high school, Dawit took technical drawing classes, which served as his introduction to the profession. He found the creative process of building physical and 3D models particularly fulfilling.
Relocation and Career Transition
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent war in Ethiopia forced Dawit to leave his home country. He arrived in Switzerland in March 2024.
Upon arrival, Dawit discovered that continuing his career in architecture was not feasible due to the profession being protected in Switzerland. His existing degree could not be directly transferred, and pursuing a Swiss-recognized bachelor’s degree would have required at least six years of study, including professional proficiency in French.
Following six months of studying French as part of his integration process and managing necessary paperwork and permits, Dawit revisited his interest in IT. This decision was influenced by the experiences of his brother, who also works in the IT sector.
The Role of Powercoders
Dawit was introduced to Powercoders through a friend who had previously used the program to secure a position at a bank. Powercoders is a bootcamp designed to equip migrants and refugees with the technical skills necessary to build careers in IT.
Dawit joined the Powercoders program in January 2025. This training provided the foundation needed to pivot his professional focus toward ICT, eventually leading to his internship opportunity with UEFA.
My name is Dawit Teum Gebru , and I’m originally from Ethiopia. My professional background is in architecture.
Dawit Teum Gebru