Maryan Noor Yussuf is a 20-year-old author who has published two books with the Kenya Literature Bureau. Maryan is also a journalist who has completed her diploma in Journalism at St. Paul’s University. She is also the founder and CEO of a tour and safari business called Black Beasts Safaris.

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Name: Maryan Noor Yussuf

Occupation/Role: Journalist (Field reporter and camera lady)

What did you want to be when you were growing up? 

I actually had two occupations in mind; teaching and journalism. I had fluency in speaking and writing from a young age. I was the head of the journalism club at every school that I ever attended.

Who were your biggest role models growing up?

In the media industry, I have several role models. One of them being Jeff Koinange and the other being Hussein Mohammed.

What is one thing that you would like to tell your younger self?

I would tell myself to not stress so much and live my life. Accept things that happened. Everything that happens, happens for a reason. Life is too short to be overthinking.

What was a life-changing moment you experienced that shaped you into the woman that you are today?

I think it’s the moment that my father died (may Allah grant him Jannah). I took on responsibility at a very young age. I supported and helped raise my siblings. That is what made who I am today.

What made you pursue your current career?

I had the passion and everything else that it took to be a journalist, as I started doing this from an early age.

What is a typical day like for you?

I wake up at 4 am in order to finish all the pending work from the previous day. I make breakfast for the family, bathe and pray and then leave for work. During the day, I either have a program to shoot, meet people or cover press conferences. By 4 pm or 5 pm I head home and by 9 pm I am already asleep.

What has been the biggest obstacle in your professional life so far and how did you manage to overcome it?

So far I haven’t faced any problem as I have just started the profession recently.

Which Somali woman inspires you and why?

Halima Aden inspires me as she has a story to tell that is similar to mine. She overcame all her struggles and I think that she is strong.

What advice would you give to a person pursuing your chosen career?

Don’t be afraid to pursue your career of choice. Just work hard and be the best you can be.

How would you like people to remember you?

I want people to remember me as the person who spoke and told their story. A woman who supports and gives inspiration to young girls to be who they truly are from a young age.