Amanda Mihalke

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

When I was looking at colleges, I knew I wanted to go to a small liberal arts school. I loved that Lewis & Clark was this type of school while also being so close to the city of Portland. Additionally, I was really looking forward to studying abroad while I was in college and Lewis & Clark had so many opportunities available.

What have you been doing since graduation?

Following graduation, I moved to Arlington, Virginia, and have started working in the nonprofit field. I am currently working in HR and operations at a cancer nonprofit based in Washington DC. In the next few months, I will start my MBA at George Washington University and am very excited to continue my career in nonprofit work!

How did Lewis & Clark prepare you for your job?

In my last two years of college, I worked as a resident advisor in Copeland Hall. This experience taught me many of the communication and collaboration skills I use every day in my current role.

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

The most important thing I learned was a greater sense of confidence. Lewis & Clark empowers students to challenge themselves while providing support along the way. After my first year, I gained a much stronger sense of self and felt ready to handle whatever may lie ahead. Other opportunities, like studying abroad and becoming an RA, helped me continue to grow during my time at L&C.

Why did you major in History?

I have always loved storytelling and studying history gives you the chance to look at how the story of the past can be framed, remembered, and retold. After my first history class at Lewis & Clark, I knew it was the right path for me. I loved the material I was learning while also gaining critical reading and writing skills that are constantly applicable to my professional work.

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

Living on the East Coast has made it more difficult to come back and visit, but I am looking forward to going back to Portland soon.

If you studied overseas while at Lewis & Clark, how did you choose your program? What did your overseas study add to your L&C experience?

I participated in the Siena, Italy, program for the second semester of my second year of college. As a history major, living and studying in a city like Siena seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to experience such a historical city while also learning about another culture. My overseas program was one of the highlights of my time at Lewis & Clark. Siena had such an impact on me that I ended up writing my thesis about the history of the city’s built environment. This program allows you to dive deeply into Siena and learn about its local culture and traditions.