By Ivory Sihashath, 2026 CLA Intern
I feel that CAUSE really placed us where we belong when it comes to our host offices. I have a massive appreciation for CAUSE and the staff at Senator Alex Padilla’s office for mentoring and guiding me as well as being empathetic and understanding when it came to the passing of my father during the beginning of the program. My father would have loved to see me succeed in public service and leadership that helps marginalized and underserved communities.
A particularly powerful moment in the course of these past couple of weeks was when my supervisor showed me incredible empathy and accommodation. It stood out to me as it truly gave me an epiphany of what my mission and values were: helping give a voice to those who need help, which is why I applied to CAUSE in the first place. My mock campaign team and my cohort’s understanding and kindness made me realize that professional programs like CAUSE are not just about developing professional connections, but meaningful ones.
A particular lesson I learned at my host office was to be professionally flexible. What this means is to be alert and confident, but also be willing to accommodate or be flexible in a Congressional office, especially with the hustle and bustle of a local congressional office, where changes can be last minute or adapting is needed on the fly.
My most interesting discussion during the program so far was comparing and contrasting my experience at my host office with my cohort members. It was interesting to learn what we are all getting out of our host offices, whether it be similar or different experiences of how we are helping communities and constituents.
I greatly appreciate the hands-on experience that shows civic engagement and local government in practice. I hope to gain more from my host office so that I can share leadership and community engagement resources with my Lao community back at home.