By Sarah Park, 2025 CLA Intern
Throughout the 10 weeks at CAUSE and my host office, I was able to learn and gain hands on experience. During those weeks, a large part of the program was the mock campaign, where we learned about the roles and efforts that go into a campaign. We were able to understand how important it was to have a strong network of people along with a thorough message. During my time at the District Office and while preparing for the Mock Campaign, I realized how important teamwork was. I also learned how to network and maintain those connections.
Through this time with CAUSE, I learned and saw firsthand how a community helps each other, stays connected, and works together. I was able to find a group of friends and colleagues who are as passionate about civic engagement as I am. I was able to connect with amazing mentors and see and learn more about how politics work in Sacramento. At my host office, I was able to learn the detailed roles of staff members when working on cases or in the field. Whether it was connecting with constituents, listening to their concerns, or figuring out Rep. Chu's schedule, I was able to see firsthand the detailed tasks staff need to handle to ensure a successful event.
Lastly, I truly appreciate that every guest speaker, staff member from my host office, and CAUSE staff member invested in the cohort members, seeing our potential to make change and amplify the voices of our community. On that note, I want to thank each member of the cohort for bringing their bright energy, stimulating discussions, and overall warmth to the program!
