Mia Babasyan

Life After L&C

2023 Update

What have you been doing since graduation?

The year after graduation was a time for me to travel, work, and apply to graduate school. I have been working remotely as a project manager for a boutique film company; allowing me to gain new experiences while being able to travel occasionally to visit family and friends. Currently, I am in the process of moving to New York City to pursue my MS for Sustainability Management at Columbia University’s Climate School.

How did Lewis & Clark prepare you for post-college life?

The multidisciplinary exposure at Lewis & Clark allowed me to appreciate the interconnectedness of environmental issues with business fundamentals, which is now what I am pursuing for my masters. The liberal arts approach also provided me with a broad understanding of various disciplines beyond my major and minor, which helped me develop critical thinking skills and a holistic perspective. During my four years, I was able to discover my love for art and design while still fulfilling the science and economics requirements for my major. I gained fluency in Spanish and took piano classes, all without sacrificing my main studies at any point. That is the beauty of the liberal arts approach; it allows for a truly integral education.

Why did you major in environmental studies?

I majored in environmental studies with the expectation of pursuing a rewarding and impactful career. It was important to me to gain expertise in a field that required sifting through components from various disciplines to tackle complex issues. There is always something new to learn and dissect, making the environmental studies major an ever-urgent and motivating realm of study to engage with. You also have a lot of freedom within the major to explore your own area of interest.

Why did you minor in entrepreneurial leadership?

I minored in entrepreneurial leadership after taking two courses and absolutely loving their real-world approach and dynamic coursework. I was exposed to networking opportunities that not only led me to internships, but guided me through crucial steps such as wage negotiation and how to be a valuable asset to a company. The minor offered some of my favorite courses and professors during my time at LC.

What would you say is the most important thing you learned at Lewis & Clark?

A huge lesson I learned, and advice I would give to incoming students, is to take full advantage of the services Lewis & Clark offers. There are people and resources at your fingertips that are beyond happy to help you succeed. If you are struggling with finances, classes, mental health, etc., there will always be someone who can offer immense help. That is a huge benefit about being part of a smaller community and something I’m so grateful I had access to.

How do you stay connected to Lewis & Clark as an alum?

I still feel as though I graduated yesterday… but keeping in touch with fellow classmates and professors through LinkedIn, especially, has been a great space for me to stay updated.

Life at L&C

Can you tell us what you’re doing this summer? What are your basic duties as an intern?

This summer, I have been working as a development intern at the environmental nonprofit Acterra. My role has been focused on organizing a community recognition event to reconnect volunteers, ambassadors, and other members of the organization. Project management, community outreach, and developing my technical skills have been a major part of my daily work life.

How has Lewis & Clark supported you in the process of finding, securing, and/or funding your internship?

The Summer Sustainability Internship course not only connected me with a paid internship, but supported my process through it. Instructors Meredith Goddard and Amy Dvorak went above and beyond to provide us with the resources and skills we needed to utilize our internships. Faculty at L&C want to help students grow and succeed, and that is where I have felt most supported.

How do you see this internship leading to a career in your chosen field and aiding in your overall career development?

I hope to combine my two passions of environmental work and interior design for my future career. My work as the development intern allowed me to bring the different skills from those passions and create an event that is sustainable, inclusive and fun!

How does this internship support your interest in sustainability?

Working alongside professionals in the environmental sector has been influential in growing my interest. The more experience and exposure I have, the more passion and insight I gain for my future career.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about your experience thus far?

The internships I have participated in have added real-world experience to many of the topics and issues we learn about in our classes. Any internship program offered at L&C is beneficial for students to potentially see how their education may align to a potential career.