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Almeena Ahmed, journalist

My story...

How did you get into journalism?
I was born and brought up in Cardiff and then studied Social and Political Science at Cambridge University. I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a journalist. I needed to know what was happening in the world and why. As a child I was always asking questions about everything I heard or saw!

What were your favourite subjects at school?
I loved literature and the English language, history and the arts, so it all fitted together.

How did you come to work for the BBC?
I worked for free at the BBC in Wales during my university holidays and when I graduated, it paid off as they offered me a job. I started in radio then moved onto TV. The BBC sponsored me to do a postgraduate journalism course at Cardiff University. I then went to ITN in London and got to work with one of my role models, Trevor McDonald! After that I became a reporter and presenter at ITV Wales for a year and am now a producer and reporter for the BBC in London.

Do you get to travel?
When I was just 22, BBC Wales commissioned me to do a documentary about Filipino nurses. I found a nurse working in Swansea and followed her back to Manila, to show the effects of the brain drain in the Philippines. I even managed to interview the President on the subject! I've also reported from Pakistan and Kashmir after the devastating earthquake in 2005.

What do your parents think of your job?
To be honest, the only reason I was able to pursue my career was because of my parents. They said whatever you want to do, we’ll support you. They are always proud when they see me on TV.

What does the job involve?
I like the visual element of the job. I enjoy picture editing and get to shoot stuff myself. There is a perception of the media being very glamorous, but it is hard work. It’s also quite competitive and less stable than a job in law or medicine. But on the other hand, it’s incredibly interesting and exciting. No two days are the same and it certainly keeps you on your toes!

What is your experience as a Muslim woman in the media?
I class myself as a journalist first and foremost. I don’t want people to see me as a Muslim journalist. You want to be respected for the quality of your work regardless of your faith.

I don’t want to be pigeon-holed into only doing “Muslim” stories but often use my own knowledge and contacts within Muslim communities to bring greater insight to the stories we cover. I would like to see more Muslim women working in the media, because it is so influential – especially TV news as it’s the main source of information for people in the UK.

My career has been nothing but a positive force for me. The doors are absolutely there to walk through- you’ve just got to have the confidence to try!

You can watch some of Almeena's reports at http://vimeo.com/6816726