Alumni Spotlight: Amy Spalding

Over the past 110 years, more than 200,000 individuals have graduated from Webster University around the world.

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Meet Amy Spalding, who earned a BA in Advertising and Marketing Communications from Webster in 2004, and is currently an author and director of digital media at an entertainment ad agency.

What enticed you to choose Webster for your degree?

Growing up in St. Louis, I was always drawn to Webster for its general creative vibe, and was thrilled when I was accepted there. Additionally, as I was seeking a marketing degree, I loved that Webster offered multiple degree programs, and I was able to choose one in the School of Communications that was more creative/production based. As someone eager to do creative work, as well as find a day job upon graduation, the program was a perfect fit for my needs and goals.

What stood out about your studies at Webster?

After going to college for a couple of years after high school, I took time off before applying to Webster. I was apprehensive about returning to school, but overall, I found Webster such a welcoming environment. From my first semester on, I received so much encouragement from faculty, and before long, I met other students in similar situations as I was in – a few years older than other undergrads and juggling a full-time job on top of school. I arrived at Webster motivated to complete the program, but the support I received from professors and other students is what really made it such a rewarding experience for me, above and beyond getting a piece of paper that said I was a college grad.

How did your Webster degree help advance you in your career?

There are a couple of assets to my experience at Webster that I think of often, in terms of what I got out of my time there – in addition to my degree, of course. So many of my classes and professors really emphasized creativity, storytelling and clarity in our work. These core concepts weren't only invaluable for my advertising and marketing communications work, but have served me well in writing fiction.

I entered Webster as a person all but terrified of public speaking. My classes, though, gave me so many opportunities, on small and medium scales, to present, that by the time I reached my bigger presentations during my final semester of undergrad – and all the way through to present day as an author who spends a great amount of time speaking in front of others – I had the ease, confidence and practice to succeed.

What is your favorite part about your job?

I love so many things about being a writer – the camaraderie with my peers, the satisfaction of revising something that didn't work before and now snaps into place, the readers – but ultimately, writing is creating something out of nothing. That still feels like magic to me.

What is something valuable you have learned during your career?

I feel so grateful to have learned so many things as I go, but ultimately, forming community, as well as supporting and relying on that community have enriched my life invaluably. It's so easy to get fixated on the external career goals when so much of the joy I've experienced has been alongside others. And on a practical level, it's a lot easier to do a job that is so often isolated when you know you've got people handy for questions, venting and celebration.

What advice would you give to others who are considering Webster for their degree?

Webster is a great school where creativity is encouraged, and there's a lot of support and community as you pursue your education, your social life and your future career.

What has your life journey looked like?

I grew up outside of St. Louis and now live in Los Angeles. I moved here 20 years ago, when I graduated from Webster. I was still searching for a creative community, and I'd always felt comfortable whenever I visited Los Angeles. Additionally, I hoped to work in the entertainment industry, so it was a natural fit to head out to the West Coast.

What was your first job, and what do you remember most about it?

My first job was as a marketing/media planning assistant at DreamWorks. It felt like a literal dream come true to arrive in Los Angeles and start working at a movie studio almost immediately. That said, working at a studio is high pressure! Watching AppleTV's "The Studio" now gives me panic flashbacks! The job itself was manageable, and I learned so much in such a short time about media planning and buying, lessons I still rely on to this day. The politics of it all, though, was another side of the job that took longer to sort out, and I still rely on some of those lessons today, too.

How do you spend your free time?

As someone with two careers, I am still sorting out how to have free time and use it to the best of my abilities! I love watching movies in the theatre, cooking and I am determined to develop more non-screen-based hobbies this coming year!

Is there anything else you want to share?

I genuinely loved my time at Webster. I was a non-traditional student — having gone back to school in my early 20s — who commuted to evening classes. I worried this would set me apart in some negative way, but I genuinely never felt that vibe. After feeling like I'd gotten off track from my life plans, Webster was one place where I felt things came back together for my future.

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Learn more about Amy and her books! Her upcoming novel, "In Her Spotlight," will be available on Feb. 24 — grab your copy wherever books are sold!