Why did you choose to study at Brunel?
I didn't get the required grades for somewhere else - but I was really interested in the Politics course and got in through clearing. But I truly got to learn from the best, and have always strived to work hard since. My best memory of studying at Brunel was winning the NUS / Daily Mirror Diversity Award for my writing’s in the Route 66 magazine.
What did you do after you graduated?
After graduation I undertook a post-grad in Broadcast Journalism and was then selected for the prestigious ITV News Group Training scheme. I worked as a TV journalist on screen and behind the cameras for four years before leaving to create my own independent filmmaking company. I returned to the newsroom as an Output Producer at Sky News where I took editorial decisions on live and breaking international news, where I stayed for 4 years. I balanced all this with being a British Army Reservist, and in 2015 I was deployed to the Middle East. Upon my return, I decided to leave journalism altogether, first working as a Communications Director for a Westminster think tank then (through my own company, Dot Hyphen Ltd) offering media, communications and engagement consultancy to various clients. I continue to do so while maintaining my role as an Army Reserve Captain and voluntarily working for various charities.
What is your current role?
In my current role as a Communications Consultant for a brand agency, it largely involves reporting on the project and delving through qualitative and quantitative data to gain an understanding of our audiences.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
The highlight of my career so far has been developing as an on-screen reporter/presenter and being recognised for my independent film work with a British Sikh Association "Sikh Jewel" Award. Brunel enabled me to be confident in getting out of my comfort zone to discover new things, and to push myself in all sorts of ways to achieve goals. My journalism career started when I contributed articles to the 'Route 66' campus magazine, and it gave me a real sense of achievement to help tell peoples' stories.
Any advice for new students?
If I could give one piece of advice to new students it would be 'Be like Brunel'; be creative, innovate and work hard to break new ground.
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