Jayana Alvarez

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

I wanted to experience living in another state with a completely different scenery. Even though California isn’t that far from Oregon, the vibe and energy of Portland compared to San Francisco is notable. Lewis & Clark also allowed me to continue playing soccer, while pursuing my education.

What have you been doing since graduation?

I started working as a translator at various tech companies. More recently, I’ve developed new skills in public relations and marketing to round out my communications knowledge.

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

My student life internship gave me valuable work experience during my senior year. I learned new skills and discovered new interests that I still apply to my career.

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

I learned how to go after what I wanted with confidence. Lewis & Clark not only provided me many avenues to explore my interests, but showed me how to apply my knowledge and skills for opportunities ahead of me.

Why did you major in World Languages and Literatures?

I went to a French immersion school for 13 years, where I also learned Spanish. The dual-language major allowed me to continue my studies in both languages.

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

I visited Lewis & Clark last year and was lucky to catch up (in person) with some of the faculty I knew during my time as a student worker.