For some, nature is just a home to creepy bugs and scary bears. For others, it’s a sanctuary to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
For Leigha Floyd, an Accounting and Management Information Systems major in the Chambers College, nature is where you confront and overcome personal and professional challenges.
Hailing from Barrackville, WV, Floyd grew up exploring the natural beauty of her home state as well as national parks across the country. These experiences fostered her passion for the great outdoors, so when she saw an opportunity to spend her summer leading WVU students as an Adventure WV First-Year Trip leader, she jumped on it.
In her position, Floyd was charged with leading groups in outdoor activities like hiking, rock climbing, rafting, hiking and backpacking. It was up to Floyd to help the incoming students “dip their toes into something that might be intimidating.”
“Adventure WV has this saying: challenge by choice,” said Floyd.
Translation: push yourself, but do it at your own pace.
This philosophy is not just applicable to climbing rocks or navigating rapids. Floyd embraced it, challenging herself to become more assertive and open with others. It wasn't easy, but with each trip Floyd took, the more she pushed herself.
In the end, it paid off, both personally and professionally.
“The progress I made throughout the summer was tremendous,” said Floyd. “I think applying assertiveness towards business will be really helpful. That way I can speak with confidence when presenting or talking to the public and groups of people.”
Additionally, the skills Floyd learned from her professors and classes in the Chambers College have helped her grow in a position outside of the typical business environment.
“I like solving business problems, and it was interesting how I used those skills when working for Adventure,” said Floyd. “Every day is new, so you're solving different problems while looking at things from a different perspective.
“For example, on one of my trips we showed up for our rafting time three hours before we were supposed to. We ended up having to entertain our participants for a long time by playing games, which I think they ended up really enjoying.”
Floyd’s connection with nature and her newfound leadership ability have helped foster the skills she’s learned in her time as a Chambers student. Her passion and willingness to accept challenges have had a positive impact on her and the groups she’s led.
So next time you see a situation that scares you, take a cue from Floyd: choose the challenge.
-WVU-
Emma Higgins 9/26/24
CONTACT: Andrew Marvin
Multimedia Specialist
John Chambers College of Business and Economics
andrew.marvin@mail.wvu.edu
