Before starting my internship with the California Attorney Rob Bonta’s Office of External Affairs, I had met with my supervisor virtually several times and exchanged multiple emails, which set my expectations for my remote internship. As someone who found online schooling during the pandemic manageable due to my independent attitude, I assumed the remote administrative work would be just as straightforward. Little did I know, it would prove to be far more detailed and research-intensive than I had anticipated.
My role in the external affairs office primarily involves updating communication databases. My first task was to research and update the contact information for city attorneys in over 240 California cities. While not every city would have readily available information, and it was acceptable to leave some information blank, my detail-oriented nature compelled me to dig deep and find as much information as possible. I found myself scouring outdated LinkedIn profiles, deciphering cryptic mentions on Facebook posts, and even uncovering obscure references like 'Today's Employee of the Month is our very own City Attorney…' from a post buried five years deep in a local government's social media feed. This thoroughness, while valuable, made the task incredibly time-consuming. Additionally, working remotely made it challenging to maintain a steady pace when getting through a long list of cities, especially when feeling isolated from my peers who often shared their more interactive and social office experiences, like lunch outings with their staff.
Despite the initial struggle, I learned to appreciate the "tedious" work. Delving into the city attorney list, I frequently found myself sidetracked by their bios, learning about their journeys and the diverse paths they took to their current positions. This unintended detour provided a fascinating glimpse into public sector work, enriching my understanding and fueling my interest in policy and law.
Intern Anais Sornkatetin taking notes during Monterey Park Mayor Thomas Wong’s talk
Moreover, my weekly visits to the CAUSE office, who graciously opened their work space to me, became a highlight. The in-office environment, with the company of cohort members and CAUSE staff, offered a refreshing change of pace and a sense of camaraderie that inspired me to stay on track during my remote days. It was then that I had also found myself going on lunch outings with staff (thank you Nancy for treating us!). These experiences underscored the importance of balance between remote and in-office work, blending independence with the support of a collaborative setting.
Lastly, I am extremely grateful for my supervisor, Kathleen Gonzalez, who has been a beacon of support throughout this journey. Her emphasis on the importance of communication and her encouragement to reach out with questions—even when that meant texting her at least once an hour—was invaluable. These past two weeks has been a journey of unexpected lessons, from the intricacies of public sector work to the importance of effective communication and support. I look forward to diving even deeper and continuing to grow and learn in this internship.
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 Anais Sornkatetin, 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.