At the CAUSE Leadership Academy Kickoff, I told the audience that I was proud to be placed in the office of my state senator, Dr. Ed Hernandez. While the Senator represents a lot more than just my hometown, this week in the office really drove home the idea that I was working right with the beliefs and issues that I grew up with—including some that I didn’t even realize existed until now.

When I first started at the office of CA State Senator Ed Hernandez, my supervisors emphasized to me, “We really try to make this office a learning and teaching one. You need full immersion to get the real taste of working in a legislative office.”