Miss Maya Tillman is a 24-year-old graduate from Atlanta Georgia. She is a Mass Communications graduate with a concentration in visual arts. She is an eager young woman who looks forward to sharing her art and creativity with the world. Miss Tillman sat down with us and gave us an inside scoop on her life, here’s what she had to say.

Question 1.

Can we get to meet the woman behind the face?

1. Where were born and what was your upbringing like? –

 I was born in Allegheny County Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. My upbringing was colorful. I grew up in the south, but I moved around a lot.

• Who has been the greatest influence in your life that has impacted the man/woman you are today? –

My greatest influence would have to be Steffani Jemison, my college media professor. She influenced me during our classes. I had overall 5 classes where she was my professor. Under her tutelage, she inspired me and pushed me to expand my creativity through the media arts.  

• What about your family? –

My aunt Nicole was very influential in my life because she treated me as if I was her child. She took care of me during my upbringing. She was basically like a second mother to me.

Question 2.

Can you tell us of your education history and what your goals or life ambition was when you were a student in High School/College? –

I just recently graduated college. My goal in high school was to run track in college and eventually go to the Olympics. Later in high school I discovered I had a passion for art.

Question 3.

1. Can you tell us of your job/education experience prior to what you’re doing now? – During college I’ve had 8 jobs. My most recent and most stable job that I currently have is the communication assistant for Calvary Baptist Church in Morristown New Jersey. I handle all the news and updated events schedules for a month-to-month basis.
2. What was the most memorable point at that job/school?- The most memorable moment at that point in my life was meeting so many influential people that helped me come out of my shell and develop my public speaking and business skills.

Question 4.

1. Is this where you thought you’d be 5 or so years ago? No, actually five years ago I had just entered college and a new environment and was entering into uncharted waters. I didn’t expect to be where I am today but I was hopeful and prayed for where I am.
2. What informed your decision on doing what you’re doing now?

 After having taken an internship working closely with people that currently have careers in the field that I am in encouraged me to pursue the same.

Question 5.

What are your plans for the future?

For my future I plan to have a career as a television or movie producer and also return to school to pursue a Masters in Business administration.

Question 6.

What kind of advice would you offer a student, who is undecided on his or her career path?

Some advice I’d give would be to stay true to your passion and be open minded about trying new things because that new venture could turn into a career. Be open with change and don’t be caught up in the rat race because everyone’s journey is different, how you get there is totally on you. Ask yourself what I can see myself doing 10 years down the road and choose that path that will make you happy.

Question 7.

How would you describe the state of higher education in America today?

The state of higher education is fine the way it is but I feel like the cost of higher education is out of reach for a lot of the population, even for me. There are no systems set in place that truly help students with financial literacy as well as financial assistance for students that cannot afford college of any kind.

Question 8.

Have you ever travelled outside of the United States? Where, and how does life outside compare to that in the US?

No, I have not traveled out of the country. I could not afford to based on my financial situation.

Question 9. What does the future hold for America?

I am not sure what the future of America holds. Technology is consistently on the uprise. As for the community and global economy, things seem to be getting worse. Crime seems to be increasing, prices seem to increase, and people are becoming more desperate.

Question 10.

Are you interested in politics? If no, why not? What is your take on the state of politics and the future of the American democracy? – I am not interested in politics because I feel like the American democracy is rigged. I’m aware of politics, but I have no interest in the future of the American Democracy.

Question 11.

How are you responding to the outbreak of the Convid-19 virus?- I’m taking it a day at a time. I still wear my mask in crowded areas. I wash my hands regularly. I got vaccinated and I got my booster shots.

How did you handle the stay-at-home order? – I still had to go to work and school. I worked at ShopRite and at the mall at Forever 21. I still had to provide by earning money and finishing my college education classes. I couldn’t stay at home like everyone else.

What about virtual learning or telecommuting? – My whole last year was virtual. I even had an art show that was virtual. It was fun once the work was done. It was a headache throughout the process. I’m glad it’s all over now.

What keeps you going during these trying times? – Being able to support myself financially is what keeps me going. It hasn’t been easy but during these trying times; receiving my college degree and working multiple jobs is what keeps me going.

How can the government better handle the situation?- They can start be increasing wages at jobs. It seems like a struggle just to have one job and trying to manage bills and living expenses. They should grant student loan forgiveness. Having to work more than one job, and juggling a social life is complicated and hard.

Question 12.

1. What are your hobbies or extracurricular activities? – My hobbies are photography and videography. I enjoy taking pictures and videos and then editing my work. I like to create. I enjoy spray painting, sculpting, and drawing. I enjoy welding and building things with power tools.
2. How would you describe your philosophy of life? That is, how do you see this life and what principles get you grounded and moving forward? – I believe in Jesus. Jesus is what keeps me grounded. I don’t have a philosophy of life. My faithfulness and beliefs are what keeps me grounded.

Question 13.

Let us end this interview with a memorable quote from you. How would you describe yourself to the world?

Complete the sentence:

Maya: I am blessed and highly favored, determined but in a space of peace. I like to project positive energy and love because the world is lacking a lot of compassion these days. I am creative, and sometimes eclectic. I love all things that deal with music, i love the way rhythm makes me feel joy. I look forward to leaving a mark on this earth that cannot and will not ever be erased whether that’s in the media industry or art. I look forward to sharing and inspiring others with my creativity.

Staying true to your passion videos:

I Interviewed Maya Tillman. A recent graduate from Rutgers University and also a member of my family. I asked her some personal questions and opinions on life and wellness and this is how she responded back.

      My name is Maya Tillman and I was born in Allegheny County Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. My upbringing was colorful. I grew up in the south, but I moved around a lot. My greatest influence would have to be Steffani Jemison, my college media professor. She influenced me during our classes. I had overall 5 classes where she was my professor. Under her tutelage, she inspired me and pushed me to expand my creativity through the media arts.  My aunt Nicole was very influential in my life because she treated me as if I was her child. She took care of me during my upbringing. She was basically like a second mother to me.

I just recently graduated college. My goal in high school was to run track in college and eventually go to the Olympics. Later in high school I discovered I had a passion for art. During college I’ve had 8 jobs. My most recent and most stable job that I currently have is the communication assistant for Calvary Baptist Church in Morristown New Jersey. I handle all the news and updated events schedules for a month-to-month basis.

The most memorable moment at that point in my life was meeting so many influential people that helped me come out of my shell and develop my public speaking and business skills. Five years ago, I had just entered college and a new environment and was entering into uncharted waters. I didn’t expect to be where I am today, but I was hopeful and prayed for where I am. After having taken an internship working closely with people that currently have careers in the field that I am in encouraged me to pursue the same.

For my future I plan to have a career as a television or movie producer and also return to school to pursue a master’s in business administration. Some advice I’d give would be to stay true to your passion and be open minded about trying new things because that new venture could turn into a career. Be open with change and don’t be caught up in the rat race because everyone’s journey is different, how you get there is totally on you. Ask yourself what I can see myself doing 10 years down the road and choose that path that will make you happy. The state of higher education is fine the way it is but I feel like the cost of higher education is out of reach for a lot of the population, even for me. There are no systems set in place that truly help students with financial literacy as well as financial assistance for students that cannot afford college of any kind.

         No, I have not traveled out of the country. I could not afford to based on my financial situation.

I am not sure what the future of America holds. Technology is consistently on the uprise. As for the community and global economy, things seem to be getting worse. Crime seems to be increasing, prices seem to increase, and people are becoming more desperate. I am not interested in politics because I feel like the American democracy is rigged. I’m aware of politics, but I have no interest in the future of the American Democracy.

In response to the Covid-19 outbreak, I’m taking it a day at a time. I still wear my mask in crowded areas. I wash my hands regularly and I got vaccinated in addition with my booster shots. Even with the outbreak, I still had to go to work and school. I worked at ShopRite and at the mall at Forever 21. I still had to provide by earning money and finishing my college online classes. I couldn’t stay at home like everyone else.

My whole last year was virtual. I even had an art show that was virtual. It was fun once the work was done. It was a headache throughout the process. I’m glad it’s all over now. Being able to support myself financially is what keeps me going. It hasn’t been easy but during these trying times; receiving my college degree and working multiple jobs is what keeps me going. They can start be increasing wages at jobs. It seems like a struggle just to have one job and trying to manage bills and living expenses. One of the things the government should grant is student loan forgiveness because having to work more than one job, and juggling a social life is complicated and hard.

My hobbies are photography and videography. I enjoy taking pictures and videos and then editing my work. I like to create. I enjoy spray painting, sculpting, and drawing. I enjoy welding and building things with power tools.

The only way I can describe/define philosophy of life is by saying I believe in Jesus. Jesus is what keeps me grounded. I don’t have any other philosophy of life. My faithfulness and beliefs are what keeps me grounded. The way I would describe myself to the world by using a personal quote is I am blessed and highly favored, determined but in a space of peace. I like to project positive energy and love because the world is lacking a lot of compassion these days. I am creative, and sometimes eclectic. I love all things that deal with music, i love the way rhythm makes me feel joy. I look forward to leaving a mark on this earth that cannot and will not ever be erased whether that’s in the media industry or art. I look forward to sharing and inspiring others with my creativity.