When Instructor Nate Zahedi walks into a classroom, he brings more than just a lesson plan. He brings over a decade of real-world cybersecurity expertise and a passion for preparing students to thrive in a fast-evolving industry.
Since 2019, Zahedi has been a key part of the Foster School of Business, where he teaches Data Networking in the Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) Accelerate program.
MSIS Accelerate is a condensed spring-quarter bridge program created for working professionals who want to strengthen their tech and data networking skills before beginning the Master of Science in Information Systems. This 11-week preparatory program takes place during the spring quarter and combines technical training with early access to Foster’s career resources. It’s the perfect launchpad for anyone looking to sharpen their skills and step confidently into advanced coursework and a growing industry.
We sat down with Zahedi, a senior staff engineer at Geico, to talk about the state of cybersecurity, his approach to teaching, and how the Accelerate program helps Information Systems students bridge the gap between theory and practice.
“I bring everything I’ve learned over the past 13 years in cybersecurity into the classroom.”—Nate Zahedi
What class do you teach? What can students expect to gain from your class?
Nate Zahedi: I teach Data Networking in the MSIS Accelerate Program.
We start with a foundation of IT and data networking, then quickly pivot into the fundamentals of cybersecurity. We have in-depth conversations about what cybersecurity is, why it matters, how to mitigate and manage risks, and how to prevent attacks.
At the beginning of the quarter, I give students real crises to analyze, and they learn to present what went wrong. By the end, students evolve from knowing very little about technical briefings to speaking with high-level executives about how to implement solutions and prevent future attacks. It’s a chance to experience what it’s really like to work as a consultant in the industry. Students leave with knowledge and experience that they can apply immediately to their jobs.
One of the things that makes the Foster program stand out is that so many instructors are active professionals. We bring real-world experience into the classroom, which means students leave with practical, not just theoretical, knowledge.
Can you share more about your work experience and how you bring that into the classroom?
Nate Zahedi: I bring everything I’ve learned over the past 13 years in cybersecurity into the classroom. For example, I discuss my experience managing an incident response team at a security center. I share a story about a significant cybersecurity incident that took nearly a month to resolve. We had people working 24/7, and it exposed critical gaps in our security. I turn these experiences into research studies for my students to analyze.
In my current Data Networking course, students are engaged and ask questions throughout every class. They challenge me and each other, and I love seeing that level of curiosity. My industry experience helps me provide thorough answers and real context to their questions.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
Nate Zahedi: I love sharing what I’ve learned with students. The most rewarding part is hearing from them at the end of the quarter, and how excited they are to pursue cybersecurity careers. I’ve been teaching long enough now to see many former students succeed in the field.
I stay connected with many former students and am always happy to help with job interview prep or recommendations. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see a student go from having no background in cybersecurity to understanding the industry deeply and wanting to be part of it.
Zahedi was on campus despite not having a class on the day we met for this interview. He was there to offer extra support to students preparing presentations. They continuously stopped by to greet him, waving or pausing for a quick hello before heading to class—clear signs of his lasting impact as a teacher.
How can students get the most out of their time in the program?
Nate Zahedi offers this advice:
- Stay curious. Ask questions in class and continue being curious once you’re working in the industry.
- Network within your cohort. The relationships you build can open doors later in your career. The impression you make now can influence a future job recommendation.
- Commit fully. You get out of the program what you put in. Challenge yourself, keep an open mind, and put in the effort. These habits will serve you well regardless of your industry.
- Embrace mistakes. Public speaking is a common fear among students. I used to struggle with it myself. That’s why the final project is a presentation; to give students real practice. You have to make mistakes to grow; I want students to feel comfortable with that process.
Zahedi’s dedication to both his profession and his students is a testament to the strength of the Foster Master of Science in Information Systems experience.
Whether guiding students through complex security incidents or mentoring them long after graduation, Zahedi embodies the program’s mission: to equip the next generation of tech leaders with the skills, confidence, and mindset to succeed in a rapidly changing digital world.
Learn more about the Master of Science in Information Systems here.