If there’s one aspect about the new professional world I am finding out for myself that really speaks volumes, it is the power of connection and networking that truly puts myself in perspective of the professional world I have yet to find my place in. Maybe a similar non-professional way to describe it for myself is by calling it “fate,” a term I used to describe my connection to the people who made a serious impact on my first year of college. But whether it be through workshops or the interactions I had during my first week with my fellow interns and staff at CLA, I never expected fate and the power of connection to bring me closer with them and myself further into the world of social advocacy I have always been passionate about.
Intern Nathan Yeung presenting on his team’s hashtags for Senior Communication Manager Farrah Su’s redistricting workshop
Walking out of the Metro station at 8AM on Monday into bright and sunny Little Tokyo, I slowly made my way towards Cafe Dulce for my favorite matcha latte, passing by some other professionally-dressed young adults who looked like they could also be CLA interns on my way towards the CAUSE office. To say I was nervous would be an absolute understatement, but as I walked into the office being welcomed with open arms by some of my fellow interns, I knew I was ready to begin a day, week, and whole academic quarter’s worth of time with these 13 other amazing individuals.
CLA staff and guest speakers presented the cohort with deep, meaningful, and thought-provoking workshops, also giving us plentiful opportunities to broaden our professional networking skills (I definitely need to do more of that). Many valuable life lessons were learned, like how different personality types work together in a team environment, how I can shape my personal brand, or what the term ‘civic engagement’ entails.
Interns Emma Tom and Nathan Yeung enjoying the printmaking workshop at PIEAM
Perhaps the best part of my first week with CLA were the connections I made with my fellow interns and staff. While I had originally thought that I would have zero to no connection with these people, fate actually brought me closer to these new faces and to people who have already been in my life in one way or another! The timing of the grand reveal for 2024 CLA’s campaign project could not have come at a better time. By the time we were split up into our campaign teams, I had already gotten a sense of what all of us brought to the table with our diverse academic and intellectual backgrounds, so I am more than ready and eager to take on this big challenge with my teammates. Outside work hours, through different boba and coffee outings, late-night gossip sessions in Long Beach, taking numerous BeReals with them, and team dinners with the cohort, each of them showed me their brightest charms, giving me an even deeper desire to establish meaningful friendships with them as time goes on. Looking towards the horizon, I feel that I am even more prepared to take on the challenges this internship has planned out for me, knowing I can accomplish them even stronger when I am connected to others in my network.
CLA interns and CAUSE staff commemorate the last day of their orientation week retreat at CSULB
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 Nathan Yeung, 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.