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Jayla Cobbs

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

General information

Location
Whiteville, NC
Age
24
Gender
Female
US Citizenship
US Citizen
Ethnicity
Black/African
Religion
Christian
Church
Baptist

Hobbies & Interests

  • Piano
  • Spanish
  • American Sign Language (ASL)
  • Social Media
  • Social Sciences
  • Social Justice
  • Politics and Political Science
  • Public Health
  • Public Speaking
  • Public Policy
  • Hair Styling
  • Health Sciences
  • Weightlifting
  • Exercise And Fitness
  • Food And Eating
  • Medicine
  • Global Health

Reading

  • Christianity
  • Horror
  • Thriller
  • Suspense
  • Religion
  • Adult Fiction

I read books multiple times a week.

Bio

Hello! My name is Jayla Cobbs, and I am a sophomore attending The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I am currently double majoring in Public Policy and Political Science (B.A.) while on the pre-med track to attending medical school to become a medical doctor. As a certified emergency medical technician in the state of North Carolina, I currently work for my university's EMS agency on campus. Aside from responding to 911 calls on campus, I devote my time to community outreach as a community outreach officer. Within this position, I am responsible for overseeing our agency's relationships among the students, student organizations, and surrounding EMS agencies to offer a more holistic and communal approach to high-quality medical care. In the case of my academics, I am passionate about the social sciences of political science and public policy. With these two majors, I am able to study the policies and politics they create when it comes to important issues in the United States, such as healthcare, k-12 education, immigration, and the economy. My career goal is to go to medical school to become a doctor in emergency medicine. Unfortunately, there is a grave issue in the intersectionality between the policies created in healthcare and actual healthcare providers being a part of the policymaking process. With my years of experience in medicine and my passion for politics and public policy, there is a substantial gap between the health of American citizens and the policies created that affect their welll-being that I hope to one day bridge.

Education

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Bachelor's degree program

2020 – 2024

Majors:
  • Political Science and Government

Southeastern Community College (North Carolina)

Associate's degree program

2018 – 2020

Majors:
  • Biological and Physical Sciences
  • Physical Sciences, General

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Graduate schools of interest:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University
Majors of interest:
Public Policy Analysis
Medical school interest:
Yes

Career

  • EMT-B

    Hospital & Health Care · UNC Campus EMS

    Jan 2021 – Present

  • Housekeeper

    Cleaning · Hobbs Realty

    Jan 2021 – Present

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Medicine
Dream career goals:
Medical doctor; Working alongside the government in legislature to enact new laws and policy reform regarding healthcare in the United States.
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Politics
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
  • Entrepreneurship
Chief Lawrence J. Nemec Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Winner
At the age of 13, as I was walking through our county fair, I glanced to my right and saw a group of men and women dressed in boots, tactical pants, and blue collared shirts with the star of life woven above their hearts. Decorated with stethoscopes, trauma sheers, and pens, I could not help but lock eyes with them and the ambulance they were gathered around. As they called me over, I had the conversation that would change my life path and build me into the person I am today. A few months later, at the age of 14, I began working with that same rescue station as a junior E.M.T. Learning about the world and the people living in it from such a raw, adverse position truly has made a significant impact on my life. Transforming a meek 14-year-old girl into a girl with the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently to her patients and peers. The reconstruction of a young mind, unaware of the issues society faces, to becoming the voice that brings awareness to those same issues. Gaining medical knowledge and developing a greater passion for healthcare under the guidance of hardworking, intelligent men and women during that time in my life is something I will always be grateful for. It is no secret that there are many high-stakes moments where we could very much be the only thing in between our patient and death. This fact makes it all the more crucial to have a team that is built in trust, patience, and great communication. These are all amazing characteristics of what teams in healthcare should reflect, and are characteristics embodied within my fellow EMTs that keep me coming back to EMS. I was not only lucky enough to volunteer at home, but I am now able to work with a fantastic group of other brilliant college students. As an EMS agency that is entirely student-run, we are given the opportunity to create this agency as our own to serve our peers when the time of need comes, not only focusing on 911 calls but the public health of our university as well. From accomplishing high-acuity, life-saving calls, to baking cookies at 3 o’clock in the morning, I live for the moments where I am able to make a significant impact on my community as a first responder while doing it with the people I call family. To have this experience is to become a better servant to those around me and grow into the health care provider I aspire to be. And with this experience comes the responsibility of using my position to ensure equitable and quality healthcare for everyone in my community, city, and state. Being an EMT is the stone I will cast.
Jayla Cobbs Student Profile | Bold.org