Sayed B. Shahidzai has firsthand experience with the transformative power of education, and this understanding inspired him to pursue a career in human resources. Growing up in a war-torn country where educational opportunities were limited, he was motivated to find meaningful work that allowed him to foster community and help people—regardless of their race or ethnicity—achieve personal and professional fulfillment.
“Diversity and inclusion aren’t just statements on a piece of paper,” he says. “It’s a life principle that all men and women should follow to move toward a better future.”
Today, he’s a Human Resources Specialist at TSA, where he continuously relies on his finely tuned interpersonal skills and leans into his friendly, welcoming nature.
Here, Shahidzai shares what he’s responsible for in his role, how TSA supports internal mobility, and the skills needed to be successful in human resources.
What initially attracted you to TSA, and how did you know the organization would be a good fit?
I deeply believe in the motto of “make our community strong.” My commitment to following this principle made me a good fit in the human resources community. TSA is one of the most diverse agencies within the federal government, and I feel honored to have the opportunity to serve this great agency. I deployed four times with the Department of Defense and got injured on my last deployment. Upon returning home from my deployment on a stretcher, I was thinking about what I could do to stay connected with people. That’s when the opportunity to work with TSA emerged, and I got hired as a Transportation Security Officer (TSO).
You began your career with Denver International Airport as a TSO; a year later, you were promoted to the Human Resources department. How does your career trajectory reflect TSA’s commitment to internal mobility and professional development? How have you been personally supported?
I joined TSA as an entry-level officer in screening operations, and on day one of my orientation, I set goals for my future growth and upward mobility. In that same year, I volunteered for many roles in screening operations, the threat assessment program, baggage, and human resources. I’m a professional developer; I researched and studied the agency’s vision and mission statement so that I could better assist TSA in achieving its goals and objectives. I hope to work my way up to senior roles in the future.
What are you responsible for as a Human Resources Specialist, and why does this work excite you?
I’m currently the primary person of contact for hiring and recruitment, and I oversee TSO and Management, Administrative, and Professional (MAP) hiring operations for the state of Colorado. I’m a people person and love to help people achieve their career goals. I’m an expert in creating a career road map for younger generations who are seeking professional guidance—fresh high school, college, or university graduates who desire mentors who can steer them toward a better career.
You’ve been with TSA for several years. What is one highlight of your tenure thus far, and what have been the keys to your success?
My can-do mentality and friendly nature have contributed to my success. A mountain can be high but there’s always a way to the top. Life is full of challenges and obstacles, and I use them as learning opportunities rather than walls or barriers.
What unique challenges have you faced in your role, and how have you overcome them?
I don’t recall many challenges that I faced, but I can describe one that I managed to overcome. Learning standard operating procedures (SOP) for screening was a challenging experience when I got hired as a TSO. Thanks to the agency’s great training and my dedication, I overcame this challenge by following a targeted method of learning, which breaks down the entire SOP into small chunks that can be easily learned.
What do you like best about TSA’s organizational culture? How has it helped nurture your professional growth?
I truly like TSA’s core values, which are integrity, respect, and commitment. The agency’s integrity, respect for the American people, and commitment to its mission are unmatched. Consistent learning and shadowing programs that mold next-level leaders have impacted me in several ways, especially in developing my professional growth.
What advice do you have for those looking to start a career in human resources? What skills can they develop to be successful at TSA and in their careers?
Being friendly and having the patience to work with various types of people is key. If you want to work in human resources, educating people should be number one on your agenda.
Also, an eagerness to learn will guarantee success in the industry. Your employees don’t know everything, and it’s the job of HR personnel to educate people, guiding them toward a better future and growth within the organization.
Why is now an especially exciting time to join TSA?
In 2023, TSA implemented its new Transportation Security Compensation Plan, which provides a modernized pay structure comparable with colleagues on the federal government’s General Schedule (GS) pay scale, regular step increases, and a clear progression for pay mobility and growth.
Second, the support for upper mobility is very apparent, which is a dream come true for many like me who want to see themselves grow within the agency.
As someone whose work involves travel and transportation, where is one place you’ve traveled to that left a lasting impression on how you view the world around you?
I love to travel to different parts of the world to experience other cultures and learn about their history. Being involved with traveling and transportation is something I never dreamed of, but here I am involved with an operation that assists close to 90,000 people daily with their travel needs and ensures that they reach their destination safely.
I recently traveled to the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The island is so beautiful, majestic, and serene—it can’t be explained in words. Looking at the beauty around me reminded me that life is so beautiful.