Career Roadmap
Maya's work combines: Travel, Music, and Being Creative
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
English Language and Literature, General
University of California-Irvine
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Musicians & Singers:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: English Language and Literature, General
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
I joined middle school marching, symphonic, and jazz band.
2.
I applied to my dream colleges: USC, UCLA, UC Irvine, Stanford, Columbia... I was rejected by all.
3.
I went to a state school that a personal hero of mine attended--and got in! Cal State Long Beach.
4.
As a freshman, I decided to try once more to get into UCLA or UC Irvine. UC Irvine accepted me.
5.
Became an Economics major, but something wasn't right. Switched to English and felt at home.
6.
Interned and worked at a wonderful production company while playing in a band at night.
7.
While pursuing two passions at once (story and music), my band got signed. Music is now full-time.
8.
Playing drums has led to many pursuits: singing, voice acting, management. I'm still on my roadtrip.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
She's a terrible drummer and sounds like a dying bird! She's only gotten this far because she's a girl and she's different
How I responded:
If you're interested in a career but you notice that most people in that career don't look like you, push past the discouragement. You'll have to put up with some teasing, some nasty words, and you'll deal with a ton of awkwardness, but you'll be doing what you love. Also, as a humanitarian side note, you'll be making it easier for the next generation to do the same thing you're doing. You're incredibly important to the future of your passion.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I could not afford college on my own. I went to a public university and took out a student loan.
Neither of my parents went to college. However, I found this to be helpful: they were extremely proud of me for pursuing higher education. I think they would have loved for me to go into programming or a hard science, but hey, I've still got time.