The first time I learned about Asian American politics was in my first quarter of college, taking an Ethnic Studies class for GE credit and a vague interest in learning about my community. After studying the material, making a few friends, and getting the grade, I mostly forgot about the class. Never would I have imagined that this experience would trigger a series of chance encounters that ended, eight months later, at an office building in Little Tokyo, listening to a welcome presentation with thirteen other interns.
CLA interns and staff gather to watch the 2024 presidential debate
Many of these opportunities I stumbled into by accident. In February, my friend and fellow intern Samantha nonchalantly invited me to a “volunteer event” at Monterey Park’s Lunar New Year Festival, where I met with CAUSE for the first time and learned about the Leadership Academy. After rushing an application for the program to meet a fast-approaching deadline, my hopes of hearing back from them were low–until I received an email invitation to an interview from the program coordinators. A few months later, I’m assigned to the office of Congressman Ted Lieu and packing my bags for a summer in Los Angeles.
This pattern of accidents continued throughout the first week of CLA as I struggled to find my footing in a fast-paced environment charged with talent and passion. On just the second day of the program, I arrived late to the office due to a carpool mix-up. During group discussions, I would stay quiet or give out halting, quiet answers. During our cohort retreat to CSU Long Beach, I often arrived last to our meetings, having lost my way in the dorm halls or forgotten to bring my laptop to take notes. The thing that made me the most painfully aware of my accident-prone nature, however, were the other interns–at least initially. Stepping into the office on the very first day of the program and seeing a dozen strange faces dressed in business professional, it was hard not to feel intimidated by the breadth of expertise, experience, and charisma that the other cohort interns held. Compared to my unfamiliarity with Asian American spaces and inexperience in leadership positions, these guys were far more knowledgeable, intelligent, and–so I thought–deserving to be at CLA than I was.
CLA interns work on their mock campaign project
As the week progressed, however, I learned that my cohort was not as unapproachable as they originally seemed. Through the unrelenting schedule of lectures, workshops, and guest speakers that the CAUSE team had meticulously planned out for us, our group bonded over the course of just a few days. We shared our personal values and leadership styles in joint workshops, swapped pieces of “lore” over meals in the CSULB dining hall, and spent more money on boba and coffee than any of us would likely want to admit. My perception of the other interns changed from intimidating professionals far ahead of me in life to peers, friends, and confidants.
Something else changed: my mindset. I began to embrace my accidents as opportunities to learn and improve, and as gateways for more opportunities in the future. My mistakes weren’t an indication of my past ignorance, but a space to shape my future actions. My chance encounters with CAUSE weren’t just dumb luck, but a result of the flourishing network of connections within the Asian American nonprofit space.
Intern Grant Li shares his personal experiences
CLA has opened doors for me that I never even knew existed and given me the tools to blaze my own path forward. In the following eight weeks, I look forward to learning, growing, and making change with my cohort as we navigate our respective internships, engage in joint leadership development sessions, and support each other in our personal and professional ambitions. I hope to make a community that lasts with them. Most importantly, despite everything that I’ve described in my reflection, I’m reassured that my participation in this amazing program is no accident.
The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not reflect the views or positions of CAUSE or the CAUSE network.
Written by Grant Li, Leadership Academy 2024 Intern.
The CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA) for students is a nine-week, paid, internship program that prepares college undergraduates to lead and advocate for the Asian Pacific Islander community on their campuses and beyond.