We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tysheira Maddox a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tysheira thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the story behind how you got your first job in field that you currently practice in.

When I was in undegrad, I was a psychology major. Ultimately after graduating, I wanted to do something different for about 2 years and then continue back on my path to become a therapist. I went for a Teach for America opportunity but didn’t make it to the final rounds. I was pretty bummed out about it because I wanted to relocate and do something different before going to graduate school. So when I was rejected, I started looking for jobs back home. I came across a position where I was responsible for coordinating in-home services for individuals with disabilities between the ages 18-60+. It was such a fun job, I stay there short of 3 years. During my time in that role, I started graduate school and began to find my niche. I obtained a Master of Social Work.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a licensed clinical social worker in Pennsylvania. I always knew I wanted to help others but I was not sure how I would accomplish that goal. For a while, I wanted to be a pediatrician. When I got to high school, I received a trade in Business Education. I didn’t want to continue with that as a career so I went back to my first goal – to help others. I decided to get a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Masters degree in Social Work. I became a certified life coach and enjoy working with Black women in their 20s who are looking to gain clarity, build confidence, and execute consistently on their personal and professional goals. I have a merchandise brand called Black Girl Goals & Things. I wanted to create cute merchandise for Black women to be motivated and feel cute while accomplishing their goals. I am an author and wrote my first book titled, “For the Unguided Twenty-Something Year-Old: Advice, Lessons Learned, and Inspiration. It serves as the ultimate guide for individuals in their 20s who needs guidance while navigating adulthood. Working with young adults is my jam! I am affectionately known as the Twenty-Somethings Whisperer. I founded my own non-profit called Finding My Way Foundation. We provide life skills, educational tools, and community to individuals from ages 17-25 years old who identify as a minority. I love helping young adults find their path in this world and prepare them for all the speed bumps that come with adulting. Lastly, I am a therapist. I provide mental health therapy for women in their 20s and 30s who struggle with life transitions, chronic health conditions, women’s issues, anxiety, and depression.

What I believe sets me a part from others is my willingness to teach others how to be their best. I love being a leader – it can be difficult at times but I believe in preparing others and helping them to be their best selves. I am most proud of my ability to bounce back from any hardship. My resiliency shocks me at times, but I know that I am strong and gained endurance by learning from failures and being on my own healing journey. Something that is truly important to me is that individuals feel empowered when they are in my presence and when they leave. I want them to think of me when they need to hear the truth, need inspiration, or creative solutions for their problems. Anything that I have created, will always be for individuals who have not been in position to learn and grow. We all come from different walks of life, and some of us have not been fortunate to have resources to help position us to be secure. I’ve had many opportunities that has helped me to be successful and all I want to do is to pay it forward.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

If I could go back, I believe that I would choose the same profession. I truly feel called to be a Social Worker, although I had this passion to do international business, I am still grateful for where I landed. I do wish that I would have mastered a second language, so now I am looking into that.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

What has been most helpful for me is networking. I am a true introvert so the thought of it always makes me cringe but I know how much power is in networking, Your networth is connected to your network.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.tysheiramaddox.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamtysheira