This week I spent most of my time at CAUSE on my first Communications project: a “Did You Know?” informational blog post about the upcoming Los Angeles mayoral race between Karen Bass and Rick Caruso. I have never designed a blog like this before, so it was really exciting working on the graphics and hearing my supervisor’s feedback on colors, text placement, and tone. My supervisor encouraged me to make the graphics more engaging, using language that reminds readers that voting is a way for them to raise THEIR voice. This shift is so important because voting can be perceived, especially by young people who have grown cynical of electoral politics, as a burden or a hassle, instead of a voluntary responsibility or even better, an exciting mode of civic participation. I know for myself voting can feel so distant! I don’t know most of the people on the ballot, and I don’t really understand how they could affect my life once they are in office. But through this project, I am learning more about local politics and reflecting on how the effort required to stay up to date on news and maintain awareness of the political landscape can feel difficult, but is just as important as any work I do for school, work, home, etc. Throughout the DYK Blog Post, I pushed myself creatively to find different answers to the question “Why Vote?”, in hopes that if a reader resonates with one of them, they will feel motivated and encouraged to participate in the November Midterms!
This week felt a bit longer than other weeks because I had two remote days instead of only one, and whether it’s because remote days are more productive or because they’re lonelier, they always feel longer than in-person days (despite the lack of commute!). But on Thursday, almost the entire CAUSE staff showed up and treated me to lunch to “welcome” me (humorously a little late in the internship). Being around the staff is perhaps my favorite part of my internship, so I really enjoyed eating and chatting with them. Even though I’m new and so young, they include me in all their conversations and ask for my thoughts with a seriousness that makes me feel valued and respected in this space. And I can see that it’s not just me who loves the warmth and natural enthusiasm of the office. My supervisor was a bit injured on Wednesday but she showed up to the office on Thursday anyway and cracked jokes all day long. Even though we were all a bit concerned that she was working instead of resting, I think the fact that she wanted to come to work when she had a very valid excuse for staying home goes to show how personally fulfilling it is to work at CAUSE, especially compared to a typical energy-sucking 9-5 job. These people choose to be here, and it makes all the difference in the work culture.
