Django G Sbarge

What’s your favorite class? Why?

My favorite class has definitely been ELI 349 Innovation At Work: Internship & Seminar; it completely shifted my perspective on what a college course can achieve and showed me how powerful a dedicated support system can be for professional development. I had previously attended classic lecture-style classes almost exclusively, and while I am grateful to have had engaging professors, I never expected such a change of pace; from day one, it was totally hands-on. Each session featured a new industry professional who not only brought tailored career advice, resume reviews, and follow-up opportunities, but who really wanted you to succeed. The cherry on top: a fully paid internship for every student with a 100% placement success rate–it felt like I had been given a huge leg up. What’s more, Chrys Hutchings, a career-attorney-turned-professor, brought absolute expertise to the classroom and consistently provided straightforward, solution-oriented feedback. An undergraduate internship can be a huge predictor of post-graduate financial success, and I strongly believe every student should have this kind of guided, practical opportunity.

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

The location and the unique balance of student to faculty were massive draws for me. Something that I really looked for when applying to colleges was L&C was an intimate classroom setting; I couldn’t imagine sitting in lecture halls with hundreds of students, where relationships with your professors are essentially non-existent. At L&C, I found a school that not only offered a rigorous and personalized academic environment, but that also allowed me to step off campus and onto a trail to hit reset whenever I needed to.

What do you like or find most interesting about your major?

The challenge of political science is a big thing for me (even if I sometimes wish I had picked something a little bit easier or less stressful!) Investing in a field that requires me to step up academically in every way has developed me more than anything else could have. When I look back five years from now, I know I will be so grateful that I stuck to it, even if it meant some long nights.

What do you like or find most interesting about your minor?

The ability to communicate in Spanish is one of the most valuable and important takeaways from my experience at Lewis & Clark. I have found time and time again that actively immersing oneself in another culture simply isn’t as accessible without speaking the language. At L&C, my classes have covered everything from modern activist writings all the way to the 1960s during the Latin American Boom, teaching me so much not only about the vocabulary and grammar of the language itself but about the “how” and “why” behind effective, cross-cultural communication. Today, I actively use Spanish every day—at work, in school, and in my greater reactions throughout Portland.

Tell us about your support systems and social outlets on campus: people, activities, clubs, res halls, etc.

My M.O. at Lewis & Clark has been community involvement. While at times it was a lot, looking back, it was absolutely worth it. Across my time I did my absolute best to wear as many hats as I could in order to soak up as much experience as possible. From my freshman year, I was running for senate and working in game day operations. As a sophomore I was reelected for senate, promoted to a game day operations manager, and selected as a resident advisor (R.A.) for Copeland Hall. As a junior I was elected vice president of the student body, returned as an R.A. in Copeland, took on a role as a teacher’s assistant (T.A.) in the biology department and maintained my spot as a game day operations manager. Finally, my senior year I took on my capstone project, returned for a third year as an R.A. in Holmes, took on a 10-12 hour per week legal internship in downtown Portland, and continued to T.A. in the biology department.

All of these things not only gave me invaluable work experience, but most importantly, developed me as a human. Being a legal intern meant I got to build real connections in the professional world, and gain crucial insight into my lifelong goal of law school. Being an R.A. gave me the opportunity to work with a team to bolster my community and lead my peers. Getting involved in student government meant I got to head a team of like-minded individuals in a really vocational mentorship role. While these things look good on a resume, the skills that I learned in these roles are worth so much more than any fancy LinkedIn update, and I can’t thank L&C enough for that.

How do you describe the liberal arts?

I think the leading interpretation of a liberal arts education is that rather than teaching you what to learn, it teaches you how to learn. However, I have found that L&C adeptly does both. The liberal arts model creates a foundation where skills are entirely transferable and I have found that the frameworks I use in one area are often surprisingly similar to those which I use in completely disparate ones. L&C teaches you to view problems from multiple angles and apply a diverse set of tools to find a solution.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

Really lean into your community and find ways to advocate for what you care about. You will get exactly as much out of your college experience as you put into it. Whether that means applying for student government, becoming an R.A., or just starting a new project with friends in your dorm, get involved. College graduates from across the country consistently rate their college experience as much more enjoyable and fulfilling when they are heavily engaged in campus life.

How did your financial aid package influence your decision to attend Lewis & Clark?

Lewis & Clark provided a really competitive financial aid package, which was a major influence on my decision to attend. Knowing that an institution was willing to invest in my potential before I even stepped foot on campus really made me feel valued. It allowed me to focus my energy on my studies and my career development rather than worrying purely about the financial burden.

Political Science Hispanic Studies