Mia Babasyan

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.