Jayla Bradley, a recent graduate from the Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering (ISE) at the University of Florida, was one of three student speakers for the online celebration of 2020 Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering Graduates in early May.

Bradley was born in Key West, Fla., but considers herself a nomad. She is from a military household and was frequently adapting to new things and lifestyles wherever in the world she was. The military lifestyle shaped her to be open-minded, outgoing and resilient, and it allowed her to embrace her love for travel. While living in Japan for 4 years, Bradley had the opportunity to experience the Japanese culture firsthand. Returning to the United States for college, she became passionate about pursuing a degree where she could create optimal experiences for her community.

At UF, Bradley chose Industrial and Systems Engineering as her major due to the focus on process optimization. In addition to her studies, Bradley interned with Northrop Grumman, The Walt Disney Company, and Accenture.

“This ISE Department always supported me throughout my challenges and successes, and I am extremely grateful,” Bradley said. “Everyone is eager to help you, and they genuinely want to see you be the best you can be.”

During her time at UF, Bradley also engaged in activities that prepared her to be a leader in her engineering career. She served as the president of the National Society of Black Engineers and as vice president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. She also excelled at being an Engineering Ambassador – one of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering students, who proudly represent the college to inspire future Gator Engineers.

Outside of school, Bradley has enjoyed traveling, performing, and serving her community, particularly, volunteering with children. She is joining Accenture as a consulting analyst in Atlanta, Ga., upon graduation.

In her speech, Bradley talked about Words that You Speak. “Watch how you speak to yourself. It affects a lot more than you know,” Bradley said. To emphasize her point, she quoted Proverbs 18:21 (AMP) in the opening of her speech: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.”

Bradley said it was a honor to be chosen to speak to her fellow graduating class.

“To be able to share my collegiate journey with the college was truly a privilege,” she said. “I hope everyone is able to walk away feeling empowered and encouraged to keep moving forward despite circumstances.”