As one of the new interns, my first impression of Clay Bridges Communications & Publishing was that it is a company who develops passions into publications.

After the first meeting, I saw that I would be working with people who would be able to help me learn the ropes of the publishing industry.

What initially drew my interest was Melissa Leembruggen's book, "The Sudan Project." Tomorrow, I am leaving for a leadership program which will take me to Kenya, where I will spend three weeks learning leadership abilities and connecting with others. The anticipation of the learning experience of this trip is exciting, and it will be interesting to apply it to life and to my internship.  

From communication classes, I have learned how to communicate with a wide audience, taking something that only a few people have worked on and making it available for thousands or millions to see, hear, or read. And as the industry continues to work more with the Web, we will be able to spread the word about upcoming publications, connecting authors with their audience more effectively. The Internet is a giant connector that grows all the time, with new blogs and sites popping up each day, each of which seeks to connect people and reduce the physical barriers that often inhibit communication.

While I have only been an intern at Clay Bridges for two weeks, already I think it is going to be a good experience because each day Iam learning new information about the publishing industry and learning how Clay Bridges is both the same and how it differs, in comparison to larger and smaller publishing companies. As a college student, finishing up my Bachelor's Degree at the University of Dayton, I am able to take things I'm learning in the classroom and apply them to the actual industry, seeing how theories translate intopractices. Being a part of this kind of team will develop my experience and help me to focus where my interests lie.

This summer will be an experience that I believe will better prepare me for my future career. And I believe that Clay Bridges Communication & Publishing is the partner who will help me improve my strengths and put me on a track to become

a better leader for the world.