Q&A: Neesha Hosein
Neesha Hosein, The Signal alumna, is one of the women featured as part of The Signal’s #HawkHerStory coverage, celebrating Women’s History Month. This special coverage focuses on the stories and perspectives of the various women within the UHCL community.
Read The Signal’s Q&A with Harper below and see the other Q&As conducted with students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni here.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, on both a personal and professional/educational level?
A: When a horror story I wrote got published in my junior high’s literary magazine (circa 1988), I knew then I wanted to be a writer. As a little kid, I loved to watch the news, read the newspaper, and was inquisitive about world events. I had experienced a lot of adversity in my younger years, but despite the turbulence I held on to my career dreams. When I first stepped into the UHCL newsroom, I felt like I’d walked through the closet into Narnia. Maybe to others it was just a class, but that environment soon became my whole world. I took it very seriously, so much that I succeeded in changing the paper’s name to The Signal, as it is known today (previously the UHCLIDIAN) after a semester-long campaign. This endeavor impressed a manager enough to hire me post-grad. Since my UHCL days, I’ve been a journalist for local papers and the NASA Johnson Space Center Public Affairs Office. I’ve been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Freedom With Writing, and SMITH Magazine’s Six Word Memoirs anthologies. I’m a freelance editor, a staff editor for 101Words.org, and I recently scored two publications in the fiction world, bringing my writing career full circle. By day, I’m an academic advisor because I love helping others discover their potential.
Q: What are some activities you enjoy doing?
A: I’m an avid reader and mostly enjoy books by Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Orson Scott Card but will read anything. My PS4 is essential for sanity. I write essays and fiction short stories for submissions and contests. I cook a lot and watch cooking videos obsessively. I also create paper flower art, which I sometimes sell on Etsy. I love all things Star Trek. As an autism mom, I spend lots of time finding ways to connect with and inspire my adult autistic son. I’m actually working on a memoir about our autism journey in hopes it will help others.
Q: Who are some women (real or fictional) you look up to most? Why?
A: The late Dr. Ashley Packard is my career hero. She’s gone, but I keep her in the present tense because she still inspires me. I think of her often and remember everything she taught me. When someone writes textbooks, you know they are a guru of their craft. Dr. Packard became my mentor when I needed it most. She was the epitome of a strong, successful career woman, outstanding mom and wife, and a good friend.
My fictional role model is Lois Lane. She was yet another inspiration toward journalism. She was a powerhouse and award-winning journalist in a field dominated by men at the time of her creation. Gutsy and motivated, never settled for less, and she had the likes of Superman willing to give up everything for her.
Q: What are some problems you anticipate/have encountered as a woman in your field?
A: I’m often told I don’t look my age. While that’s a compliment, I find that it leads to people not taking me seriously, even when I’m in a leadership role. So it feels like I have to try harder to be heard.
Q: What advice would you give to other women and young girls?
A: Don’t let anyone think for you. Honor your own predilections, set goals for yourself, and think hard about how you will achieve them. It is true that knowledge is power, so keep learning. There’s no limit. Most importantly, never stop trying. I graduated from UHCL at age 31 as a struggling, single mom after a long, arduous journey. I had the honor of being a two-term editor. That year, I won a first-place national Gold Circle Award for commentary from Columbia Scholastic Press Association and an honorable mention. Those mean more to me than my bachelors degree. I also landed my first official publication in a magazine, and the provost gave me a standing ovation at our commencement ceremony at Reliant Arena after telling my life story during his speech, a milestone my son got to witness. Had I given up when life got unbearable, look what I would have missed out on. Every person has potential, and each of our life stories can be full of adventures if only we take the time to recognize and embrace opportunities.
Q: Is there anything you would like our readers to know?
A: They can find me at www.NeeshaHosein.com.
