Living the Dream

The American Angus Association in Saint Joseph, Mo.

At age 6 I had one dream: to be a country music "singer." I even wrote and illustrated a story about how everyone told one girl that she couldn't become a country superstar and she proved them wrong. As I got older, I realized that my book would remain fiction, but that didn't mean I had to let go of every dream.

This summer I fulfilled another long-time dream. I was an intern at the American Angus Association in the Public Relations/Communications department. Getting to work for the Association was the familiar dream, but I had no idea how challenging and fun it would be to work with the PR team. They let me be a part of everything: from new ad ideas to television shoots, writing press releases and snapping thousands of pictures. I learned so much, but two very important things stand out to me.

First, I'm in the right field for me. Before this experience I was uncertain and nervous about what a job in ag communications would be like. I had a bit of fear that I wouldn't like working in an office or writing. After spending the summer writing 36 releases and having a blast in the office in Saint Joseph, I now feel more confident about what the future will bring.

Second, jump in and do everything. I was pretty familiar with Angus having grown up in the NJAA and raising my own Angus herd. I decided early on to be a "yes girl". Whatever needed done, whatever experience was presented, I would say yes. As a result, I not only got to know my co-workers better, but also got to travel to Tennessee and be a helpful part of the National Junior Angus Show.

There are so many stories I could tell here, from t-boning a coworker on a go-kart track to shopping for an TV interview table in a furniture store, and the 2 hours I spent waiting at a FedEx/Kinkos. The entire summer was an excellent experience and I thank the Association and the PR team for letting me live a dream. I'll keep holding out for a Nashville record deal. 

'till the cows come home,
Ellie