Typically, when you’re entering college/university you have some idea of what you want your career to be. I hadn’t a clue. For some time, I wanted to be an attorney, like my father, but I didn’t think I could stomach the Criminal Justice system in the United States. When I had confided in my father about my uncertainty, he told me to major in something that I was good at because if I eventually wanted to attend Law School I’d learn everything I needed there. I have always had a way with words and decided to major in Mass Communications.

The unconventional story

Let me fast forward to say that I did not graduate when I was “supposed to”. I left school the year I was due to graduate because I believed I had been wasting time and money. I just simply didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life and so I moved to another state and continued growing into myself. Prior to leaving my university, I had taken a Sports Broadcasting class which was actually taught by my uncle. He had a very long tenure in sports media as a radio personality, as well as announcing American football and basketball games, teaching at my university and creating his own broadcasting network for collegiate sports. His class was everyone in the programs, favourite because he showed us how to really tackle the business and build our craft through unconventional tactics. For example, he taught us to be animated (in front of the camera and behind the mic) by reading children’s books aloud. It was hilarious to us, but truly taught us how to enunciate, project and properly convey a certain energy to our audience.

I had the opportunity to shadow, then, FOX Sports sideline reporter, Pam Oliver. Pam had been one of the best in the business and really gave me some jewels on how to be dynamic in the in this male dominated industry. As a fellow Black woman, she told me how I would be perceived in the business, but that it would be imperative to assert myself and be confident in what I knew. One would think being under the tutelage of such a titan in the industry, this would propel me toward being more decisive with my career. It didn’t.

I spent a couple of years working odd jobs. I would have 2-3, at a time, working as a restaurant waitress or hostess, seasonal retail or at a bank. Randomly, as I was cleaning off a table at a restaurant, I got a call from my uncle. He told me that he needed me to “go on the road”. I was thinking maybe he just needed me to help with the marketing, but he wanted me to do sideline. I was a bit quizzical at his request because I hadn’t done anything in media, professionally, and the last time I had a microphone was in his class. I was even more stuck because my uncle’s media company employed all seasoned professionals. The people that worked for him had all been in media my whole lifetime. But, I obliged him. I obliged because I knew that if he was asking me, it wasn’t just out of sheer desperation, but that he truly believed that I could do the job… well.

First gig as a sports anchor

My first time on the road we covered several games in 3 separate states, all while driving. No, we did not fly anywhere. I had spent 5 years doing sideline reporting and absolutely loved it. It was a lot of hard work that required me to really learn the inner workings of sports, the positions and the playbook. I travelled every week from August to March and was able to finish my degree 6 years after I left. I truly believed that I was on the path of getting to a bigger stage in my career. I began submitting to jobs at bigger networks and played the waiting game. I knew that being a Black, Hijabi in media would be something dynamic that networks would possibly want to tackle. I had a promising interview with CBS, but was not offered the position due to the fact that they were looking for someone with more news experience. I was still hopeful in my pursuit.

In the Spring of 2015, I began to focus on my next move. I wanted to ascend in my media career, but I was also conflicted. As the years passed, I began to look for recognition. I thought that by being myself (a Black, Muslim woman in hijab) that this would create a groundswell of notoriety.

I had seen other Muslim women asked to speak at conferences, invited to host events, and I began to feel unseen, unacknowledged, and unappreciated. I began to question my talents based on the fact that I was practically invisible to the mainstream Muslim community, at large. It was a tough pill to swallow.

The Ramadan that changed things

As Ramadan approached, I began to make istikhara heavily. I wanted to rid myself of the feeling of wanting to be noticed and thrown on some sort of pedestal. I asked Allah for nothing but guidance in every single prayer. To guide me and for me to be open, aware and receptive to that guidance. I humbled myself. While working a summer job for a non-profit Muslim organization, I began to thirst for doing something that made me feel more fulfilled, inwardly.

I believed that through my prayers Allah blessed me with the insight to move abroad. This was my first step. I had no idea what I’d do overseas or where I was going to go, but I believed this was His hand on my next steps.

As I began to send my resume, around the world, I connected with my cousin. She had been living in Cairo, most of her life and was a teacher. She told me that she had gotten hired at an international school, for the upcoming year and that I should apply. So, I did. I thought of the impact so many teachers had on me and began to get excited at getting the opportunity to give that to others. I continued to pray. I realized that the only way I was going to get where I needed to go was through Allah’s permission. I grew fearful of the fact that I would have to tell my uncle that I wanted to make such a drastic change and would no longer be working for his company. However, he was such an advocate for my decision and truly embraced my want for change.

I bought a one-way ticket to Cairo, Egypt and have since lived in China and Poland while teaching people from around the world. My journey has taught me that it is important to do what makes you feel good inside. I loved broadcasting and media and maybe one day I’ll go back, but as a Muslim, I have found that being an Educator is a form of sadaqa. Everything that I teach my students is something that they will have forever and hopefully pass to others. It is a never-ending charity that multiplies, as the knowledge is handed from one to another.

When changing my career and making the decision to move abroad, I made sure to keep that information between me, Allah and a very short list of other people. I wanted my journey to belong to me. I wanted my journey to be met with understanding, love and encouragement. I would have never guessed how my career would have come about and then changed after a few years. But, what I can say is that I am grateful to have had the faith in myself and my lord to trust the process and his timing.