As I enter the final half of my host internship site at City of Irvine’s Office of Councilmember Tammy Kim, I reflect on what I have learned during my time as a Policy Intern Team Lead.
As a Team Lead, I manage 30 high school and college interns at the office. This entails working with interns to complete op-ed editorial assignments, coordinating with fellow Team Leads to distribute tasks to interns, and acting as a liaison between our supervisor and the interns. With my policy team specifically, I supervise interns’ progress on their policy brief assignments—in which they research, synthesize, and present issues relating to the Councilmember’s agenda. Such briefs will be used for memos at City Council meetings.
Intern Ryan Horio gives public comment at Irvine’s City Council meeting on improving Irvine city libraries
Compared to the rest of my cohort, I am the only intern placed at an office outside of LA County. While different, this is the best experience I could have received due to the agency that comes with my placement. I am able to work on policy I find important—public health initiatives such as addiction recovery services and increased support for those affected by hate crimes. Being placed in Councilmember Kim’s Office has given me the agency to create larger change within a community I care about as compared to if I was placed in LA County.
Intern Ryan Horio and his team staying late in the office to attend a City Council meeting
At my host office, I have the agency to tackle issues and incorporate what I’ve learned at CLA and my tenure at UCLA. This connection between what is learned in the classroom and what really happens in the real world is invaluable, and I am thankful for CAUSE for providing me this opportunity to learn and to grow. Through my time at Irvine’s City Council, I have grown not only as a leader but also as a civically engaged member of my community.
Intern Ryan Horio excited to watch the City Council meeting briefings and learn about the intricacies of local government proceedings
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 Ryan Horio, 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.