For the past couple of weeks, I have been working in the Los Angeles District Office of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla. Each day at the office teaches me a new lesson and here are three I have learned so far.
View of Downtown Los Angeles from Senator Padilla’s LA Office
Lesson #1: Food truly does unite all.
My very first day in the office I was welcomed by an amazing group of staff and fellow interns. Even yet, I continued to feel intimidated by everyone, particularly the other interns who had already established a routine, a flow, and a familiarity in the office. I was the new kid on the block, the odd man out, the fresh meat. I found myself shy, nervous, and worried that it was going to be hard for me to fit into the natural flow and environment of things. However, one of the senior staff decided it was necessary on my first day to take me and everyone else to the one and only Yang Chow’s in Chinatown. I soon learned that this was the best place to get Chinese food for anyone working in the region, including federal employees, police officers, city council members, and city employees. I quickly found that Chinese food can create instant bonds. I found myself opening up to my new team quicker than I would have ever imagined or expected. Even in the office, having nice food is a must for having fun and meeting new people!
Senator Padilla’s Work Supplies
Lesson #2: Always be ready to talk by the water cooler!
Over the next few weeks, I also discovered the significance of the infamous water cooler conversation. I discovered that it serves as a forum for talking about any and all pertinent political news, viewpoints, and strategies in addition to helping coworkers get to know one another better. My first conversation at the water cooler felt straight out of The West Wing. I quickly discovered that it is critical to always be up-to-date and prepared at all times! When working in a political office, every little action, interview, statement, vote, etc. matters and affects our office and work in more ways than one. It is my favorite part of the day, allowing me to really be immersed in political culture even at the district level.
LA District Office Interns with Senator Padilla (Intern Sydney Pike pictured on the left)
Lesson #3: Interns are important!
As interns, we often find ourselves feeling as though we are unimportant or the lowest in office hierarchy. Yet, it has come to my attention that the work of interns helps the daily operation of everyone in the office including Senator Padilla himself. Many staffers brought to our attention that interns typically are the most valuable part of the office. In answering phone calls and engaging with constituents, we are often the only or sole contact constituents have with our office and the Senator. As an extension of Senator Padilla, the way we engage, communicate, and interact with constituents reflects on the Senator and influences the attitudes and opinions people have of him and our office. This made me realize how necessary our roles are as interns and how meaningful just a simple phone call can be to an individual. Every opinion, message, or casework call we take truly impacts the life of another.
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 Sydney Pike, 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.