By Imani Lee, 2025 CLA Intern
When I opened my acceptance email into the CAUSE Leadership Academy back in March, I literally jumped out of my bed. Earning this opportunity was a chance that I doubted, but also one that ended up surpassing my expectations. As I look back on this incredible summer, I plan to discuss three particular aspects of the internship: the leadership academy and internship itself, the mock campaign, and my host office.
I will never forget walking up to the CNTRL Office for the first time, alongside strangers who would soon become some of my closest friends. During the first couple of weeks as a CLA intern, I learned a lot about what being a leader truly entails, particularly within a professional political environment. Learning different personality types, networking tips, and about the non-profit vs. privatized workspaces within this field helped me as I will navigate the post-graduation landscape next summer. Meeting 14 other incredible interns was initially intimidating, as all of us are very accomplished and educationally intentional. Now, I have formed relationships with these other students as I have spent a couple of days a week by their side, partaking in after hour bondings and community events— hangouts that I do not plan on stopping now that this internship is coming to an end.
The mock campaign was a huge aspect of this internship, and I didn’t realize how much this simulation would mean to me. As a candidate, listening to community voices, going out into the district, and fighting for often overlooked communities were real aspects of my campaign, and I learned that the campaign bubble is a lot of pressure but also has a lot of impact. My team and I worked very hard to create a platform that was rooted in action rather than yap, and I believe that we successfully relayed that message.
Lastly, my host office was a very eye-opening experience. Although I primarily answered phones, logged messages, and researched federal policies, I had the privilege of shadowing the field team to any meetings and events during office hours. Whether we provided certificates from the Congressman at a cookbook launch or Smurf’s premiere, went to an office bonding at the Broad or gelato, packaged food baskets with the YMCA or distributed resources to small businesses in response the the recent ICE raids, I was grateful for every experience to go out into the communities that our office represents.
This summer was inspiring, educational, unique, and more powerful than I could’ve imagined. From taking selfies at the State Capitol’s Assembly floor to celebrating achievements at Soireé, this internship has absolutely prepared me for whatever lies next on my career path towards civic advocacy, and I am beyond grateful for the program coordinates, mentors, community members, peers, and interns who made this summer an unforgettable one.
