Route to Passion

Howard Rhile ‘23, a computer science major, came to NC State to study code, but he left with a passion. His time with Wellness and Recreation, specifically at the climbing wall, wasn’t just a job; it was a journey of self-discovery. Howard’s story illustrates how high impact experiences can set students on paths they never imagined.

“I most enjoyed working at the climbing wall,” Howard recalls. “Becoming familiar with all of my peers coming to climb and trying to remember the hundreds of names I would see checking in regularly.” For Howard, it was the small interactions that made the biggest difference. Hearing climbers’ excitement about “sending a boulder” or simply chatting about their week created a sense of community. “Those little interactions became quite meaningful,” he says. “Working at WellRec helped me be socially active and form relationships with the other students who also frequented the gym and climbing wall.”

One of his favorite memories highlights the community built through WellRec the last outdoor adventures staff meeting he attended. “We did an activity where we wrote cards for each other,” Howard remembers. “I enjoyed reading the thoughtful responses from my coworkers and seeing their reactions to the cards I wrote for them. I have held onto my bag of cards!”

WellRec also provided a platform for personal growth. “One way I built confidence and leadership skills,” Howard explains, “was through the many, many belay classes, various clinics, and climbing safety instruction that I gave throughout my time at WellRec. It helped me become a more skilled teacher, presenter and helped lessen my anxieties about speaking in front of groups of people.”

But the most significant impact of WellRec was the unexpected discovery of a career path. “Through a route setting clinic at WellRec,” Howard shares, “I was able to make a connection that later led to me landing a job route setting. It wasn’t what I planned to do after school initially, but it worked out in the end, and I really enjoy my job.”

The connections Howard made at WellRec extended beyond professional opportunities. “I made several friends through my job at WellRec that I still see regularly and climb with whenever I get the chance!” he says. “Which has led to many climbing adventures/trips and memorable experiences. And I still see many familiar faces at the gym I work at now, of people that also started climbing at WellRec or that I met during my time there.”

Now, Howard is a full-time route setter at Triangle Rock Club. His journey, from computer science major to climbing wall enthusiast to professional route setter, is a testament to the power of exploration. “By working at WellRec,” he explains, “I was given the opportunity to try out route setting while working at the climbing wall. I fell in love with it, and through a connection, was able to continue route setting after leaving WellRec. I developed the skills necessary to route set commercially and share my passion of climbing and movement with others. Without WellRec (and a persuasive friend), I would have never discovered my passion for climbing.” If you are in the Triangle area be sure to stop by one of the Triangle Rock Club locations and climb.

Howard’s advice to current and future students is simple but powerful: “Challenge yourself to try new things because you never know what you might discover!” His story is a reminder that passion can be found in unexpected places, and that donor support for programs like WellRec can open doors to opportunities students never knew existed. Give to NC State’s Day of Giving and help students like Howard discover their calling.