Amanda Clay
Fiction author (10 years out)

Amanda (Goldrick)

Posted on December 1, 2017 at 12:00 PM

Amanda (Goldrick) Clay (PR, 2005) used the leadership skills she developed in the Chico State J&PR program to succeed across the globe.

After writing and publishing five books in a span of three years and living in Valencia, Spain, Clay has established herself as a strong young adult fiction author with an emphasis in suspense and a dash of romance. Her sixth book, Rebel Fire, was released in November 2017.

She’s also held marketing and communication positions at companies such as BJ’s Restaurant, Inc. and Albertsons and earned a master’s degree in mass communications, research and theory from CSU, Fullerton in 2011.

“The J&PR program was incredible preparation,” she said. “The rigid standards set by the department taught me so much about deadlines, paying attention to detail and taking pride in your work.”

Failure is not an option for Clay. The valuable skills of researching, editing and proofreading have benefitted her career as a professional fiction writer.

“To this day, I am terrified of missing a deadline or having a factual error,” she said.

The amount of time and attention J&PR students spend developing professionally is an aspect of the department that Clay remembers well.

“It was a wonderfully close-knit group of students,” she said. “We had to work very closely together on many projects and we all spoke this funny shared language so we all formed a close bond.”

Clay’s strong work ethic led her to succeed in many leadership positions during her time on the Chico State campus. She was the vice president for the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and Agricultural Ambassadors.

“Get involved as much as you’re able to,” she said. “Skip a few parties and take on a leadership role.”

Amanda (Goldrick) Clay Fiction author (PR, 2005)

Getting involved on campus is something Clay suggests to every current and prospective student she encounters. In J&PR, students have to opportunity to participate and intern at many different places on and off campus.

Clay has taken the skills learned at Chico State and shaped, refined and utilized them to succeed as a fiction writer.

_____

By Jae Siqueiros