By Esther Lian, 2025 CLA Intern
When I stepped into the CAUSE office last Monday for our first day, I was met with the sight of fourteen interns in business professional attire, seated around a large conference table. It was genuinely such a terrifying sight. I was struck by how experienced and poised my fellow interns were, and I found myself wondering if I truly belonged at the table.
I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly our cohort established a strong sense of friendship and camaraderie. From the very first day, I found myself engaging in meaningful conversations and sharing moments of laughter with fellow interns. Over the course of orientation week, I formed tight, lasting relationships that I hadn’t anticipated forming so early in the program.
I was also grateful for the opportunity to explore different leadership styles through the DISC Personality Test. It was eye-opening to learn how many of us exhibited Dominant traits, and it was equally insightful and entertaining to see how we adapted to one another’s styles in group settings. My key takeaway from this experience is that leadership comes in many forms, and flexibility is essential to effective teamwork.
One of the most meaningful aspects of our cohort was the trust we built in one another to voice our thoughts, regardless of how difficult or controversial they might be. I was especially inspired by a conversation sparked by a fellow intern, who bravely raised concerns about a moment when they felt their perspective had been dismissed in a group discussion. Their openness fostered a thoughtful and respectful dialogue that not only deepened our mutual understanding, but also inspired me to advocate for myself rather than bottling my emotions up.
This program and cohort have consistently challenged me to become a more vocal and authentic leader. These past two weeks have expanded my understanding of civic engagement, transforming it from something passive and reflective into something active, intentional, and driven by initiative.
It’s an honor to be part of this cohort, and I’m genuinely excited for all that’s to come in the weeks ahead.
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.