This summer has been an array of firsts. When I found out that my host placement would be with CAUSE, I remember being utterly overjoyed. To be directly supervised by the contagiously amicable Senior Communications Manager Farrah Su is nothing short of a blessing. These past two weeks have been a whirlpool of emotions ranging from excitement and anticipation to exhaustion and unease. In my first one-on-one discussion with Executive Director Nancy Yap, she told me that she would push me to do things outside of my comfort zone because I would be working closely with her and the rest of the CAUSE staff. However, I did not expect to be challenged so early on in my internship experience.
When we were informed about the Los Angeles Board of County Supervisors proposing a charter reform, particularly in regards to board expansion from five to nine supervisors, Nancy immediately felt compelled to show up to the town hall meeting and represent the API community. Having never sat in on a town hall meeting, I was relieved thinking that I would not be forced to speak. However, my supervisor looked cheekily in my direction and said: “Emma, as my intern, I want you to make a public comment.”
CLA interns discuss salient issues in their communities using root cause analysis
I am someone who considers spontaneity my enemy and—on a more introspective level— I fear change. With little knowledge of local government and having never stepped foot in the County Hall of Administration, I was betraying all feelings of familiarity and trying to ignore the flashing warning signs of anxiety that were beginning to immobilize me. Before I succumbed to retreating down my rabbit hole of paranoia, I remembered a simple activity that our Programs Coordinator Coby Nguyen would lead before every CLA session. I needed to ground myself, ground myself in this moment and this space.
Name four things I could see: the dais, Farrah, my notes, and the microphone. Name three things that I could touch: my rings, my phone, and the seat cushion. Name two things I could hear: Executive Officer Yen giving the opening remarks and my heartbeat pounding in my ears. And finally, I named one thing I could taste which was the Altoids mint that Isalys gave me five minutes prior. I settled into my environment and felt content in following my breath.
Intern Emma Tom makes a public comment at the Los Angeles Board of County Supervisors meeting
After I made my first-ever public comment in front of the five most powerful individuals in all of LA County, I felt empowered, content, but most importantly, confident in my newfound ability to be willing to take that extra step into the realm of discomfort, knowing it would foster immense growth.
I have not always believed so but now I am starting to acknowledge that my journey is one that wholeheartedly belongs to me, no one can invalidate my experiences. In this new chapter, I want to be able to embrace the agency that I have over my actions and emotions. I no longer view firsts as daunting experiences but rather as a catalyst for maturity.
Interns Anais Sornkatetin, Emma Tom, and Haley Ku work on the mock campaign project
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 Emma Tom, 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.