Chebet Birir opens up on journalism, hustle and marriage

How would you describe Chebet Birir in your own words?

Chebet is a mother of three, a wife, and a journalist at the Standard Media Group.

Where did you undertake your University studies?

I went to Daystar University in Athi River and Valley Road for my last semester.

Your favourite and worst unit?

My favourite unit was Broadcast Presentations, and my worst was Statistics.

Best and worst lectures?

My best lectures were the ones that had anything to do with writing and presenting. These two have been my passion since I was a child. My worst lectures were the common course, especially Maths. Sikuwa nashikanisha vitu!! (Laughs) (I never used to understand)

Are you currently doing what you studied in University?

Yes, I am. I did a BA in Communication and specialised in Broadcast.

How was campus life in general?

It was wild! We used to party so hard. I also used to play basketball for the university, and we had games every weekend. On top of that, I used to work for the campus radio station Shine FM. I also wrote and edited articles for the campus newspaper “Involvement.” So it was generally busy for me: studying, partying, working and playing.

How did you make money while on campus?

Before I transferred my credits to Daystar, I was at the University of Nairobi, and my classes were in the evening. I would sell chicken smokies and eggs but when I went to Daystar, I couldn’t continue with the business because of the busy schedule.

How was dating life on campus?

Dating was complex because it needed commitment. My boyfriend was in another university which was seven hours away. But I’m glad we made it through. He is now my husband.

Thoughts on campus relationships?

They should be taken seriously because that is where you could easily get your lifetime partner.

Where did you hang out on weekends?

On basketball courts around Nairobi. I used to play every weekend, as I mentioned earlier.

Classmates you’ll never forget?

There’s a unit where we were required to shoot and produce a movie. The classmates were so funny, I had so much fun the entire semester, especially during the filming times.

How did you get into Media and MCing?

My lecturer, Dr. Rosemary Kowuor, recommended me and sent my CV to Standard Media Group and that’s how I got an internship. The rest is history.

What challenges have you faced while in your Mc gigs so far?

I’m not paid as I should be paid. Hehe.

What TIPs have you learnt in the MCing world that you would like to share?

Know your worth and add tax. Many people want more for less. I decided that I’d rather decline an opportunity than get underpaid and overworked.

How does your future look? What should people expect from Chebet?

I’ve been doing a lot of mental health advocacy, so you should expect a lot in this line from me in the future. I might also join politics, who knows? (Laughs)

Any final words for young people keen on joining the media industry?

If you are still in school, start now. Join the press club. Whatever you want to do in 10 years, start now and act like you are already there. Also, look out for networking opportunities and make sure you get contacts from people who are already in the industry. It may sound cliche, but the reality is that your network is your net worth. Papers are just a plus.