This week we spoke with Miski Osman, a twenty-something-year-old who was born in Stockholm, raised in between London and Nairobi and is now living in Mogadishu.
Name: Miski Osman
Occupation/Role: Communications Specialist
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I always knew that I wanted to come back to Somalia and play a role in the rebuilding of my country, but I wasn’t sure in what capacity I would fulfil this wish.
Who were your biggest role models growing up?
My sisters were my biggest role models because they were both professionals with budding careers in the corporate world.
What is one thing that you would like to tell your younger self?
I would tell my younger self not to worry about the future because everything that is destined for you, will reach you.
What made you pursue your current career?
My education had a lot to do with it. I studied International Relations and Development Studies which was a very broad course, thus giving me a range of professional skills that I could use in the real world. Since graduating in 2016, I worked for a think-tank focusing on security and diplomacy and also freelanced as a consultant for two years. However, I feel like I am still trying to establish myself in my career.
What is a typical day like for you?
I don’t have a set daily routine but I love my mornings and begin my day as soon I pray Fajr. I usually have a warm glass of turmeric or moringa (because health is wealth) and spend half an hour reading or reflecting on my own, before my daughter wakes up. As a working mother, every minute with my daughter is invaluable so I get her morning routine out of the way and read to her a little before I head to the office. Since I work for the government, my professional tasks vary from day-to-day. There are days where we travel extensively across the country to ensure that programs and projects are running smoothly, some days there are full-day workshops and conferences to attend and other days the office work is less demanding. It can be challenging but it’s very exciting to be able to witness the development of Somalia in real-time and to be able to see all the work that goes into the processes needed to re-stabilize the country.
Which Somali woman inspires you and why?
Dr Maryam Qasim, I admire her grace and eloquence. I met her when I was a student attending the Global Somali Diaspora conference in Istanbul. I had a conversation with her which made me reflect on the role young diaspora women can play in developing our country.
What advice would you give to a person pursuing your chosen career?
Volunteer as much possible, with different organizations, so that you can explore and develop your skills. Working in the field of international relations and development studies is extremely broad so do not limit your horizons.
How would you like people to remember you?
I would like people to remember me as a kind person.
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