By Dulasi Tennakoon, 2025 CLA Intern
“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair”
Getting to know so many individuals from the AAHPI community who hold such incredible potential was one of the most rewarding parts of this experience. During orientation week, listening to the inspiring guest speakers and gaining insights from their personal journeys and advice was a highlight for me. I especially appreciated learning key takeaways such as the importance of showing up, building meaningful networks, approaching to network with the mindset of “how can I help?” instead of “what can I get?”, and understanding how passion amplifies the impact of our work.
One of the most compelling and transformative discussions I had during this program was during the mock campaign project. Our group engaged in honest, and sometimes uncomfortable, conversations about the candidate selection process and the dynamics within our team. These discussions challenged me to not shy away from complexity or disagreement. Instead, they helped me see how addressing difficult topics can open doors to new perspectives and deepen both collaboration and personal growth. Working through those tensions together was not only productive, it was necessary. It taught me the value of discomfort as a catalyst for clarity and collective learning. The mock campaign itself was a deeply educational experience. From selecting our candidate and assigning roles to developing a power map, I gained hands-on experience in political strategy and community organizing. I also formed strong friendships and felt a deep sense of community within our cohort. That sense of belonging and mutual support is, to me, one of the core elements of civic engagement.
I believe this program fits into the broader role of civic engagement in American society by showing how collective action, thoughtful leadership, and direct community involvement can create real change. It reinforces the idea that civic engagement is not just about voting or advocacy, it’s also about listening, building coalitions, and doing the behind-the-scenes work that sustains our democratic systems.
During the three days I spent at the host office, I was introduced to the daily operations of a congressional workplace. I helped with tasks like monitoring White House press briefings, answering constituent calls, navigating casework tools, and beginning to understand the structure of case management. These experiences gave me valuable insights into how public service operates at the federal level. One key skill I’m continuing to develop is how to maintain professionalism and empathy while responding to constituent concerns, even during challenging conversations. I’m especially looking forward to contributing to research projects related to foreign affairs, an area I’m passionate about. If there's one thing I’ve taken away from my first week at the office, it’s the importance of being proactive, asking for projects, embracing challenges, and showing what you bring to the table. Set the tone early by holding yourself to high standards, so others can see your potential from the start.
Overall, this experience has shown me how passion, purpose, and people intersect in civic work. It’s been energizing, eye-opening, and filled with the kind of learning that stays with you long after the program ends.
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.
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.