Leo’s Aliyah story: From Israel to Mexico and Back!

Meet Leo, a religious, personable, Mexican Oleh who works as a Penetration Tester for a world class Cyber Security company in Tel Aviv.

Thank you for sitting down with me, can I start by asking how you decided to make Aliyah from Mexico?

Following my studies in Mexico, I travelled to Israel and enrolled in yeshiva in Jerusalem, like many foreigners do. I really enjoyed being here, as well as the Israeli mindset, and additionally felt a very strong connection with the Jewish State.While I was learning in yeshiva, I was introduced to my wife and we got married here in Israel. From the outset, we decided and planned on living here. However, in actuality, we ended up moving back to Mexico for several years before returning to Israel.

What happened that made you return to Mexico?

Finding employment here in Israel was very challenging. I am religious, “Chareidi”, and I experienced, that at least at that time, that there were a lot of obstacles which prevented Chareidi people from finding suitable employment here. So, we went back to Mexico, where I was able to find a good job.

I am happy that you made it back to Israel! Could you elaborate on your experience?

Sure! After getting married, I found my first job repairing computers in Modiin. As a first-time entry into the Israeli workforce, it paid the bills, but shortly after I began I realized that I needed to find something more suitable for my needs, both professionally and financially. I have always been interested in computers and I was quite familiar with taking them apart and putting them back together again. I decided to learn web design and before long I was freelancing by building websites for clients, as well as fixing computers. Following this, I became acquainted with a company in Bnei Brak that trains Chareidim in Hi-Tech and provides them with a paid internship at the end of their training. As some of these individuals have never received any higher level education, this company aims to fill in the knowledge gaps in areas such as math and technology, training them in to be highly competent and desirable members of the workforce. As the cohort that I belonged to all had previous computer skills, we were able to progress quickly and advanced significantly in only six months! As we had completed the curriculum so quickly, finding an internship was difficult, so I began searching for employment instead.

And this is where you had trouble finding a suitable job?

Yes, I found that many companies were uninterested in hiring me, as I had not served in the army. One job offer I received was in Tel Aviv, but the hours were grueling and the transportation from Modiin (where I was living at the time) was long and would not be compensated, so I declined that offer. In the end, I decided to go back to Mexico, as I could navigate the system better as a native, to complete my degree in Computer Science and build up my work experience. When making this decision, we determined that this was only going to be temporary and I set a 4-5 year timeline for returning to Israel.

How did it go in Mexico? Did you complete your goals?

Absolutely, I obtained a Bachelors in Computer Engineering from a university in Mexico City and I started working at a Mexican telecommunications provider. In that position, I was really able to upgrade my skill level, first as a Network Security engineer, and then as a Penetration Tester. I worked there for almost 4 years and then we decided that we were ready to move back to Israel.

How did you find the job search on your return to Israel?

I started networking heavily on Linkedin about 6 months before I returned to Israel. I contacted almost every person I could reach out to in Hi-Tech HR and initiated a connection. In the end, I actually found my first job through a Druze man that I had connected with on Linkedin and he put me in touch with the hiring manager in Tel Aviv. However, in spite of all of these efforts, the search was honestly pretty challenging! Interestingly, I found that this was not so much because I lacked the skills, but rather because of reticence to hire Chareidi people. During interviews, it was made clear through heavy and uncomfortable questioning, that many companies were not enthusiastic or welcoming regarding being Sabbath observant, as well as hostility to taking time off for holidays and prayer. Even after I found employment, I still found that there was a huge cultural and mostly informational gap between people who are completely secular and Chareidim. As I have become more integrated in the workforce, I have seen that through good communication and a good work ethic, these preconceived notions can be dispelled. Formerly, when I would walk into a room and there would be women talking there they would all fall silent and shrink back away from me, unsure of how to navigate the situation. I am happy to say that these occasions no longer happen because I feel that I have proved myself to be a competent and respectful worker, as well as a team player.

Could you explain to me what exactly is a Penetration Tester?

Of course, a Penetration Tester (or PT) tests and tries to exploit a computer system or network so that the owner will know the weaknesses and will fix them. Essentially, a PT is a hacker but one who works for the good guys as opposed to committing crimes and damage.

What advice would you give to English speakers looking for employment in Israel?

The first and foremost piece of advice I would give is that you have to prove yourself! There are lots of people trying to get any given job and you need to show employers how you are more uniquely qualified and better suited for the position than other candidates. I can’t emphasize enough the need to demonstrate a great work ethic and your ability to give your all to the job. In the world of Hi-Tech, it actually got easier in a way, in that you no longer need to have a 4 year degree to get hired. It used to be that a certain degree or core was required in order to be hirable, along with parameters, such as being in Unit 8200 (IDF Cyberforce) to be considered. Nowadays, it’s more important and relevant to show competency, skills, and the ability to demonstrate them, as opposed to the education that brought you there. I actually have a friend who worked as a veterinarian and then decided on a career change and now he is a CISO (Chief Information Security Officer). This has been a huge change for the better for many people, but especially for Chareidim who would otherwise find it near impossible to catch up.

So, I would give Olim two pieces of advice. First, like I said before that you need to really work hard to stand out and go in with a desire to prove yourself. I have always tried my utmost to prove myself and it has succeeded for me!

And second, know that speaking English and having proper manners is a valuable asset. In my position I need to speak and collaborate with people around the world, in India, Bangladesh and Europe, so having native English and manners is going to be very helpful! Many employers look for Anglos because they know that they will be able to be more polite and patient with foreigners than Israelis would be.

Leo, it’s been a pleasure talking with you and learning about your experience. I think that your message is really relevant to everyone regardless of what industry they work in, the demographic that they are coming from, and even what country they live in. Putting in hard work and proving oneself is a good goal in all areas of our lives!

Thank You!