By Jeremy Handel

Internship, Professional Development Lead to Prestigious Placement for SMC Alum

Amanda Rosa Banchs loves books. She likes reading them, selling them, and really just being around them. This love guided her to an internship with Hub City Writers Project during her senior year at Spartanburg Methodist College, which has now led her to a spot in the prestigious Denver Publishing Institute (DPI).

“On my first day at Hub City Bookshop and Hub City Press, I had an overwhelming feeling of belonging being surrounded by books,” she said. “I enjoyed it so much, I joined as a part-time bookseller after my internship was completed.” She has continued on to become a bookseller and social media coordinator for the bookshop since graduating.

Rosa Banchs wanted to learn all there was to know about the publishing process and continue her education to work in publishing. That’s when a coworker, who had graduated from DPI, informed her about the prestigious program.

DPI was established in 1976 at the University of Denver and is focused on teaching students every aspect of the publishing industry. The program accepts fewer than 100 students every summer for the four-week course. Its graduates are found throughout the industry, from the largest publishing houses to their own businesses serving the publishing industry.

Rosa Banchs was thrilled to get into the program.

“It’s exciting! It is an opportunity that is out of my comfort zone; nevertheless, I am still excited for this new experience, everything I will learn, and a new environment,” she said.

She is especially looking forward to the hands-on learning process. From reading actual manuscripts to editing and proofreading to marketing strategies, Rosa Banchs is ready to learn it all.

She says SMC was important in her process for earning a spot in the program. She leaned on her lessons during her studies, including her professional development courses, to put together her application, resume, and letter of intent. She even leaned on some of her professors for help.

“I was able to contact them and ask for their opinion on my resume and letter of intent, even though I had already graduated,” Rosa Banchs said. “Their feedback was very helpful, and it was through their encouragement and guidance that I felt confident in my application.”

That confidence was rewarded, and she attended the program over the summer. Rosa Banchs said her time at SMC helped solidify her dream to work with books and give her the confidence and knowledge to go out and pursue her dream.