Service is driving force for WVU senior going to work in business, military
Collin Edwards, a WVU management information systems and finance major, has been hired by Deloitte and will continue serving in the military following graduation. (WVU Photo/Scott Lituchy)
A member of the West Virginia University Class of 2025, Collin Edwards — a management information systems and finance major from Hagerstown, Maryland — is looking forward to the future as he prepares for graduation from the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics.
“My first semester was actually way back in 2014. I realized I didn’t know how to pay for college and ended up enlisting in the National Guard. I took an eight-year break to focus on my military career,” Edwards said.
Collin Edwards is shown in his military uniform. (Submitted Photo)
That eight-year break turned out to be an education of its own. Thrown into a radically new environment, Edwards learned to excel not only as a professional, but as a community leader — building 4-H camps in Point Pleasant, assisting with prison staffing in Moundsville and upgrading police facilities in Dunbar.
By the time he returned to WVU, Edwards was ready to make the most of his college career.
“People put themselves in this little box,” Edwards said. “When I first came here, I was tackling one task at a time, seeing what my limits were. I wanted to see how much I can handle.”
As it turned out, he could handle plenty. Edwards now boasts an impressive resume.
Along with his continued service in the National Guard, Edwards has held positions as a Lewis Fellow and Gabriel Fellow with Data Driven WV, a data analytics-focused research and outreach center in the Chambers College. His projects there have included cybersecurity analysis for banks and WVU Extension.
“Having a chance to make an impact on the community has always been a tremendous thing for me,” Edwards said. “Seeing the results of that always motivates me to do more.”
Collin Edwards is shown at Reynolds Hall, the home of the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics. (Submitted Photo)
Now, with his time at WVU coming to an end, Edwards’ work ethic is paying dividends. He’s already secured a position with Deloitte as a business technology analyst and will continue to serve in the National Guard as a second lieutenant.
For all his accomplishments, however, what motivates Edwards is not personal success, but community service.
“My original contract was only six years and here I am 10 years later,” Edwards said. “I’m probably going to be doing 20 years total, maybe 30 at this rate. Not only am I helping to serve my country, I’m helping to serve the state of West Virginia.”
Read more about the WVU Chambers College Class of 2025.
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