ABOUT

So what do you actually do?

I write articles about people, movements and socio-political issues that interest me, with an aim to uplift marginalised voices and connect readers with stories they might not otherwise be exposed to.

What has your career path been?

After my internship, I applied for a Magazine Journalism MA at City, University of London and was accepted. Throughout the year, I was juggling freelance work and a gruelling degree.

Even though it was really challenging at the time, throughout the year I was able to build up my portfolio of work. Since then, I’ve been pitching to more magazines and newspapers, and have since written for some of my dream publications, including the Guardian this last summer.

What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is that I’m able to connect with creatives, artists, musicians and changemakers who are at the forefront of social change.

I love getting to interview people who I’d never normally cross paths with, and who continue to inspire me through the work that they do.

Why do you do your job?

In the summer of 2019 I did an internship at gal-dem, and it really changed the way I view journalism. I saw how driven the editors were by their passion for platforming the voices of people of colour from marginalised genders.

They were changing the way their readers saw the world with their words, and that motivated me to start writing and go into journalism.

One piece of advice for someone starting in your role?

Remember that your voice matters, don’t let yourself believe that your opinions, thoughts and experiences aren’t worthy of being spotlighted.

There will be a publication out there that wants to hear from people who occupy your identity, so reach out to them and pitch your ideas. The feeling of getting your article published always trumps the rejections that may come before.

Check out Sana’s socials below!

DAY IN THE LIFE

I start my day at around 8:00am and listen to a news podcast, either the Guardian’s Today in Focus, or the NYT’s The Daily.

Over the last several months I’ve found podcasts to be a really useful channel for engaging with current affairs because they feel so immersive. I also read through my news briefing emails; I subscribe to the NYT’s Morning Briefing and the Quartz Daily Brief. 

Because I’m a freelancer I can plan out my day the way I want to, which is a privilege. After skimming through the day’s headlines I have breakfast and will browse through various digital sites including gal-dem, the New York Times and Vogue to see the most recent trending news stories. Then I’ll check my diary to see what work I have on that day.

Depending on which articles I’m working on I either research for, transcribe or carry out interviews, plan out and write articles, pitch to different news media, and try to find time to apply to jobs and internship opportunities for 2021. I tend to work in 30 minute slots with 10 minute breaks in between as I find that conducive to maximum concentration and productivity. 

I make sure to break at about 1:00pm for lunch, and then get back to work at 2:00pm for four to five hours, depending on how busy my diary is.

At this point it’s usually around 7pm. I’ll have a workout, shower and break whilst spending time with my family for the evening. I’m either sprawled on the sofa watching TV or cooking dinner, which I find quite therapeutic.