Story by Mikhayla DeMott, (ACJ)
Agricultural Communications and Journalism
Cunningham, Kansas native and incoming senior, Ashley Fitzsimmons, is the Livestock Publications Council intern this summer, which is hosted by the American-International Charolais Association.
She is off and running already where she has been busy helping plan and coordinate the American-International Junior Charolais Association Nationals this June. That is not her only task though, she is also helping produce the summer issues of the Charolais Journal and managing social media. She keeps a hectic schedule with various daily tasks.
“My day-to-day is always something different which is really nice and keeps things interesting,” Fitzsimmons says.
She enjoys every aspect of her internship, between the AIJCA, the junior association, and the Charolais Journal. Fitzsimmons oozed positive vibes when talking about her internship and her joy was evident in her words.
“The AICA is a great breed association to work with, the staff are truly amazing people, and they really know how to make you feel like a part of the family,” Fitzsimmons says.
Fitzsimmons grew up around cattle but not necessarily the Charolais breed, so she has found a few challenges since she started in May. She describes her experience thus far as eye-opening, where she is learning a lot about the junior aspect of the association and breed, as well as how the association works internally.
She is a busy lady this summer, but when she has a spare evening she enjoys hanging out and relaxing or even sneaking over to watch the Royals.
Fitzsimmons will be a senior this fall and has a mouthful of degrees coming her way. In addition to her ACJ major, she is minoring in animal sciences and industry (ASI). She is also working toward completing a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Fort Hays State University.
