Caroline McClaskey (23) uses Spanish to expand her reach in Chula Vista mayor's office.
McClasky double-majored in International Studies and Spanish. Now, she uses her understanding of Spanish and political science in her daily interactions with Spanish speakers in the Chula Vista.
McClasky works for the office of the Mayor of Chula Vista as a senior counsel assistant. McClasky’s duties include processing inquiries, from pothole complaints to complex questions about topics like homelessness. She also works with the mayor on city policy, attends various meetings, and plans community events for the city.
“I truly love my job,” McClaskey said. “Every day is different.”
McClasky connected to the job shortly after graduating in spring 2023. After distinguishing herself during undergrad in an internship with Jim Desmond, a member of the San Diego Board of Supervisors, she was able to find a connection to the Chula Vista Mayor's office. Her fluency in Spanish was instrumental in securing the position, and plays into her daily work.
“I get to use Spanish daily, and that was a big factor in me being hired,” McClasky said. “They really needed someone who was bilingual. In Chula Vista, the majority is Hispanic. We get phone calls and emails in Spanish [every day].”
Her love for Spanish began during high school. She took Spanish all four years, including AP Spanish her senior year.
“I fell in love with the music and the culture,” she said. “I just listened to Spanish music all the time.”
At first she was intimidated to be the only non-native speaker in her AP class, but explained that through perseverance and immersion into the language, she was able to earn a “5” on the AP test — the highest credit available. One teacher encouraged her to study it in college.
“I had never imagined myself ever speaking another language, but it just became so natural to me,” she said. “I loved conversing with people in their own language, whether it was a mom I met at a park, or a taco shop where I’d be able to order in Spanish. You can just see their faces light up.”
When she started at PLNU, she entered undeclared. She only applied to PLNU, and believed it was where God wanted her. The first time she visited campus was for a worship event.
“I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted; but I knew I wanted to do something with Spanish, and I also loved that international focus and global studies.”
After taking a political science class during her first year, she chose to be an International Studies major. The next semester, she decided to add a second major: Spanish.
“You’re [taking] grammar classes, you’re reading long books in Spanish, and I loved it,” she said. “I would always go to the Dia de los Muertos celebrations at Old Town, and other cross-cultural events.”
For both programs, studying abroad was a requirement. She chose a trip that would fulfill both requirements, and studied abroad in Costa Rica for four months in 2022.
“It was always my dream to study in Latin America,” she said. “[And] it was so hard for me to leave.”
She explained that that immersion allowed her to become much more fluent. She even began to dream in Spanish. She stayed with one family that she has stayed in contact with, even describing them as a second family.
“I had a mom whose name was Erica, and a little sister named Cammie,” she said. “We also had two cats named La Chancha which means ‘fat pig’ and Bizcocho which means ‘biscuit.’”
“I absolutely fell in love with that family. My heart is still there. I would definitely do it again and recommend anybody who studies Spanish, or any [program], to study abroad. It’ll change your life.”
During her final year, she presented at the International Studies seminar on how Spanish plays a role in Latin American Politics and Identity. The understanding of this topic helped shape how she approaches local government work — and reminded her how many politicians miss out by not learning Spanish.
“That [presentation] was really interesting because I had been working for the county supervisor and I’d seen how many people speak Spanish in San Diego county and how that plays a role in the campaigns and [even] how presidents have failed to use Spanish.”
She advises students who are interested in learning Spanish to study it — even as a double major. She spoke not only of how valuable it is to have that extra skill on your resume, but also how rewarding it is to open yourself to Spanish-speaking cultures.
“Definitely go for it!” McClasky said. “It’s not as intimidating as you think it is.”