By Esther Lian, 2025 CLA Intern
Last week, we had the honor of traveling to Sacramento to get a behind-the-scenes look at how California legislation works. It was incredible to sit in on proceedings and observe the Assembly floor up close — even getting the chance to walk between the desks where decisions are made.
While sitting in the viewing gallery above the Assembly floor, I spotted Assemblymember Mike Fong, whose office I’m currently paired with for my internship. We made eye contact and exchanged a wave. Later, he came up to personally greet each of us interns with a handshake.
Too often, we think of our legislators only in terms of the bills they author, rather than the people they are. Meeting the representatives face-to-face made their roles feel more tangible and relatable. It reminded me that positions of power aren’t as out of reach as they often seem. More importantly, it showed me that real change requires real people — individuals with heart, conviction, and a willingness to show up for their communities. Seeing our state led by people committed to fighting for one another was deeply inspiring.
Equally memorable was the opportunity to stay over and spend extended time with my fellow cohort members. I loved laughing together, sharing stories, and learning from each other’s experiences — it was a truly special time of connection, friendship and growth. When we were at our most tired, we leaned on each other, both literally and figuratively. We carried back cups of coffee for one another, cracked jokes to stay awake, checked in often, and rested our eyes on each other’s shoulders.
It’s a true privilege to be part of a class of interns who are more than just peers — we’re friends. With a little less than half of our time together remaining, I’m looking forward to deepening those bonds even further with my fellow CAUSE interns.