Jaida Hardy
Age: 19
Hometown: Mecklinburg, North Carolina
Center: Blue Ridge
Region: Philadelphia
Career Area: Medical Assistant
Job Corps Dates: 10/4/16 – 12/13/17

“My mother has always been my rock and someone I look up to,” said Jaida. “She pushed me to be the person I am today, I want to be just like my mom.” Charlotte, North Carolina native Jaida Hardy decided she needed to leave town to get a career. Jaida graduated from Performance Learning Center and was working at Food Lion as a cashier.

Jaida completed Blue Ridge Job Corps on December 13, 2017. She earned her Medical Assistant, Electrocardiogram Technician, Health Insurance Portability, and Accountability Act, Phlebotomy, Career Readiness (Gold), First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, ServSafe and Patient Care Technician credentials.

She occupied her time by being a Big Sister, providing new students with information about dorm rules and serving as a positive leader to encourage new students to become successful. She was always helpful and ready to lend an ear to her fellow classmates. Although, Jaida too had thought about going home, she spoke to students and staff to help keep her focused. “Go talk to someone you trust,” advises Jaida. “Take a walk and get away if you need to, but remember what you came for.”

This hard worker is employed full-time at Novant Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina as an Electrocardiogram Technician, and at Comfort Care a home health facility part-time as a Patient Care Technician. Next year, Jaida plans to take online classes at Ashworth College as she aspires to become a Nurse Anesthetic.