ABOUT ME

Hi! My name is Jillian Taylor, and I'm a third-year student at SMU majoring in Journalism and Creative Computing with minors in Computer Science and Religious Studies. I love my family and friends, am passionate about what I study, and always enjoy a deep conversation.

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So, why did I choose to pursue a career in video journalism?

I've always had deep-rooted, intrinsic passions for honesty and depth. I was also very involved in the debate club during high school, an experience that taught me how to craft structured arguments and hold my composure under pressure. It wasn't until after high school graduation, at which I was voted "Most Likely to Have a Talk Show," that my eyes were opened to the world of journalism and how perfectly my personality fit the field.

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Ever since my first A/V class as a junior in high school, I have pursued videography relentlessly. I personally run the entire video section at the school newspaper. The video section flourished under my leadership: during my first semester as editor, we produced more content in three months than all prior years combined. 

I was also the producer for an Impact campaign documentary called #BlackAtSMU. Under a $17,400 budget, I managed nearly all of the logistics of this 45-minute film depicting five Black students’ encounters with racism at SMU. This experience was incredibly transformative; I felt like a deep, intuitive calling that brought me a peaceful enthusiasm for documentary filmmaking.