woman @ work

Simply Shanaz

This week You! talks exclusively to senior journalist turned event-planner Shanaz Ramzi who shares her views. Read on to find out more... 

You! Please tell us about yourself - your initiation as a media person (journalist)  Shanaz Ramzi: I started my career as a freelance journalist with a renowned group of newspapers way back in 1994. I had majored in journalism and had always been fond of writing but since I had gotten married while still at university, I had not been able to pursue it as a career till much later, when my kids were slightly older. At that time, with encouragement from my husband, and an artist friend, Fahim Hamid Ali. As, Fahim knew all the magazine editors of that group of newspapers he was often asked to introduce good freelance writers. So, he encouraged me and I decided to take a sample of my writing to show them. They were impressed and I was immediately given assignments by all the four magazine sections. Since then I have never looked back, and have been a regular contributor not just there, but many other publications as well, and have edited a number of publications, including GLAM.

You! Tell us about your transition from a journalist to Public Relations person?

S.R: The transition to public relations was a relatively smooth one. I had interviewed Sultana apa in 2004 and when the interview was published she invited me to join an organisation of which she was the president at the time, MWPJO (Media Women, Professionals and Journalists Organisation). I joined, and was promptly given the responsibility of taking out a newsletter. Since I had to travel up north for some community work I was doing with Karavan Pakistan - an organisation I have been actively associated with since 2000 - I made my calls from there to gather the information and interviews I required. I think apa was impressed by my commitment and responsibility because as soon as I returned she asked to see me. She informed me that she was launching a channel in January 2005 and wanted me to head its PR department. I told her that I had no experience in PR and wasn’t willing to work full-time either as I had a hectic social life but she insisted I do it for myself as it would help me grow professionally, and agreed to let me work as many hours as I wished. So that’s how I landed up doing PR for a private channel.  

You! What has been the sole reason of your success? Who has been the driving force?

S.R: I don’t think there can be just one reason for anyone’s success. I am a workaholic by nature, very dedicated, responsible, and a perfectionist. But, none of these qualities would have been of any value if it weren’t for my husband’s support. Also, I sincerely believe that God has been charting my course for me, opening doors through which I would never have dreamt of entering on my own, and creating situations that have only led me to better myself.

You! How has the journey been? Did you have to overcome any hurdles in a male dominated society?

S.R: I cannot complain, that is for sure! That is not to say there were no hurdles, but the hurdles were not created because I am a woman in a male-dominated society. If anything, I feel it is an advantage in our part of the world to be a woman, and in many cases we manage to get away with a lot because of our gender. However, wherever there are diverse people - regardless of whether they are males or females - there will be politics, and there will always be people who will be jealous of your success and popularity and be bent on pulling you down. The key to handling such people is ignoring them, remaining true to yourself and to your work and letting your work speak for itself. All the negativity that such people indulge in eventually brings their own downfall while you soar higher and higher!

You! Can women achieve stupendous success in our society?

S.R: Why not? We have had a prime minister twice over who was a woman, and women in the top-most position of judges, lawyers, doctors, bankers, etc. We have the first woman president heading a television network in all of South Asia, and even one young woman that has climbed Mount Everest; all this bears testimony to the fact nothing can  stop our women if they really put their minds to achieving their goals, no matter how high.

You! As a role model for young girls what would you suggest they do if they want to succeed in life in general and career in particular?

S.R: To succeed in life in general, and in one’s career, time management is very important. Prioritise all you want to achieve in the day and then focus on achieving those ends. Divide your time intelligently, allocating an appropriate time slot for each chore and then try and adhere to that schedule. You will find, once you get used to doing this, you will be achieving a lot more in a day than you ever did before, and juggling life will become easy!

You! What are your future plans?

S.R: To run a company that becomes known nationally as well as internationally for its quality service, integrity and ethics, and becomes the most sought-after event management service provider. Also to complete my second book commissioned by Oxford University Press (OUP), and to get back to my freelance writing with gusto.