Before my first day as an intern in State Senator Susan Rubio’s district office, my understanding of how Legislature worked was simply put like this: the relationship between the constituent to the Representative of your district was binary, and they alone worked to pass bills which would eventually become laws that benefit their community. Yet, after just one hour of being within her office in West Covina, I was starting to see that my understanding of the constituent-representative relationship had so much more between these two polar entities. Within those lines lies all the work that happens in a district office, filled with field representatives who reach out to the constituents in the legislator’s constituency and relay that information to the legislator. Working within the walls of my own humble West Covina office, I got to see how much hard work goes into managing a constituency, especially one that is so large, it encompasses the East San Gabriel Valley and parts of San Bernardino County. From printing certificates, to answering emails and calls from constituents, my role in the office, along with all of the other staff never ends, as we are the line that connects this constituent-representative relationship, and it is crucial we bear a big deal of responsibility as peoples’ livelihoods are being left in our hands, especially one that is as diverse and populous as SD-22.
Intern Nathan Yeung preparing certificates for State Senator Susan Rubio
I have had the absolute privilege of getting to meet State Senator Rubio, not only once, but roughly four or five times at the time I am currently writing this blog. Getting to see her do what she does out in the community is so inspiring, watching her interact with her constituents and staff, whom she treats as her own family. Every time I get a chance to speak to the State Senator at her events or even in the office, I am always on my best behavior, answering questions and asking them with my utmost eloquence and respect, as if I was speaking to royalty. Despite the formalities, her former role as an educator makes approaching her as an elected official much easier and more comfortable, as her down-to-earth personality shapes who she is as a State Senator. Each time I have a chance to chat with the State Senator, she tells me of all the events and meetings she has to attend everyday, and while it does seem tiring and exhausting, she willingly sacrifices her time to go out into the community to show up for her constituents, and that is one thing I especially admire about State Senator Rubio.
State Senator Rubio in a meeting with the police chiefs of SD-22
As someone who wants to advocate for the AAPI community in any way I can contribute, my goals and her story leading up to becoming a State Senator sounded very similar, as we are both individuals who want to give back to the communities we were raised up in. From the community, and for the community. I look forward to even more chances to meet State Senator Rubio, but in the meantime, I’ll just keep printing these certificates…
State Senator Rubio taking her office interns out for lunch
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 Nathan Yeung, 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.