By Joanna Yeh, 2025 CLA Intern
Over the past two weeks, I got the privilege to participate in many first-time experiences. From the LA city charter reform meeting to working in Attorney General, Rob Bonta’s external affairs office, I am lucky to be in so many spaces that engage with our communities directly.
While I am still getting started at AG Bonta’s office, I like to think I got to know CAUSE and the CLA cohort pretty well over the past two weeks. So far, I particularly enjoyed our first workshop, the marshmallow tower challenge, as well as one of our guest speakers, Farrah Su, who led us in a hashtag workshop. In addition to the creative aspect of the exercises, I appreciated the team-building opportunity because I immediately noticed how everyone enthusiastically took initiative. In fact, the DISC leadership evaluation we all took helped me more thoroughly recognize the mechanisms of team work so that the trust we established in one another has only grown because we have a better idea of each other’s personalities, strengths, and motivations.
Which leads me to by far the most interesting update of these past two weeks, which is that we kicked off our mock campaign! From candidates to campaign managers to policy analysts, CAUSE created an engaging and informative activity which is even more fun since we now get to compete with one another. Since I am passionate about learning from the community, I decided to take up the field and outreach role where I get to research San Gabriel Valley. I am already making plans with my friends in the cohort to spend time in the neighborhoods so that we can talk to everyone and best represent the needs of Assembly District 49.
Following the nationwide protests which were confronted by police and national guard who were apathetic at best, violent at worst, it was relieving to meet a cohort of intelligent, funny, and charismatic folks. The work we are doing challenges me to explore all the different forms of civic engagement because change is not singular nor immediate.
In the coming weeks, I am excited to shadow my supervisor to more of AG Bonta’s events; I am interested in all the guest speakers CAUSE is tirelessly introducing to us; and I can’t wait to get to know everyone that makes the community so vibrant and dynamic.
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.