I am not a morning person, yet I wake up every morning to go to CAUSE and I suddenly become one. It has only been three weeks, yet it feels like I have known everyone for months. These past few weeks have been filled with many connections, lessons, and opportunities. I’ve truly been having the time of my life.
2024 CLA interns take a photo with South Asian Network staff
While starting CLA, I was a bit nervous about entering a space where AAPI advocacy was heavily focused. This was an area where I didn’t have much experience, all I knew was that I wanted to expand my knowledge and learn how I can play a part in the communities. One of my favorite days was when we visited the South Asian Network in Little Bangladesh and met Community Organizer Harsirat Kaur. She asked us 'Who are you going to work for?’ and that got my gears turning. I recently graduated from college and am feeling post-grad anxiety; however, what I do know is that I want to work with leaders in the community to serve as a representation of the South Asian community. It was refreshing to hear Harsirat speak on her experiences and how she ended up at South Asian Network. I often struggle with the guilt of not going the “traditional” way in the medical field, which is often told to a lot of Asian kids growing up. I fear that I may not succeed in making my family proud, however, meeting Harsirat gave me a glimmer of inspiration. Speaking with her reassured me that as long as I am pursuing a career where I am working towards something I believe in, it will all be worth it.
CAUSE staff surprises CLA interns Emma Tom and Shiwani Lata with an impromptu birthday celebration
When I tell you that CAUSE is made up of the sweetest people to walk this Earth, I mean it. My almost birthday twin Emma and I had our birthdays during the first week of July and it was very heartwarming. The staff at CAUSE brought out two cakes for Emma and I during lunch, it was a sweet gesture and meant a lot. After our full day at Assembly Member Mike Fong’s office, the whole cohort went out to dinner to celebrate the birthday girls. This is a group of people that had just met a whole week ago, but it felt like we were as close as ever. At first, being around peers with the same passions and concerns as me was a bit new and daunting; however, I've never felt more comfortable in a work setting before. We were all able to work with each other and discuss many political issues with one another, but after 5 pm we were also able to go around the dinner table and talk about our dream places to visit and anticipate our future plans. This was the first birthday where I didn’t experience the “birthday blues”, so thank you CAUSE. Being able to grow professionally and personally with my peers has been an amazing experience thus far at CAUSE.
CLA interns work on their mock campaign
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.
Written by Shiwani Lata, Leadership Academy 2024 Intern.
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.