2024 CLA interns posing on the Captiol steps
Entering the Capitol conference room with heavy eyelids and a foggy mind, I clutched my matcha, desperately hoping its caffeine would help me through the rest of the day after a dreadful 3 a.m. trip to the airport the morning prior (imagine the panic when I realized I'd left my ID at home!). However, what truly kept me engaged wasn't the green drink in my hand or the anxiety-inducing memory of the ID tragedy in the Southwest Terminal, but rather, the empowering words of former political consultant Bill Wong. Although I’ve discovered the tools and methods for successfully running for office, there was a gap in my knowledge about the relationship side of this political environment, especially the level of power we hold as interns in these spaces. Through our conversation with Bill, my knowledge expanded in one short hour.
A takeaway from our conversation was his perception of power. In a world where we're conditioned to believe that we need to "climb the ranks", or that our value is determined by our position, Bill was not hesitant to challenge these ideas. He suggested that if titles were irrelevant and power were solely based on skills and abilities, those with the most expertise would naturally rise to the top. This idea was extremely thought provoking. While the reality of our world often means that titles can influence how others perceive us initially, there are still ways to stand out, drive change, and earn a place at the table, despite being deemed “lower” in the workplace.
Former Political Consultant Bill Wong speaking with CLA interns
His main point was that power is not always our title, or the awards we’ve received, but our hard skills, understanding of rules and behavior, active listening, and effective communication. As an intern, a student, a future healthcare worker, and a 20 year old, this perspective deeply resonated with me. I often find myself hesitant to voice my opinions to those in higher positions, due to my believing their experience and wisdom outweigh mine. However, Bill has empowered me to start focusing on building these essential skills. By honing on these abilities, I can gain confidence to speak up and advocate for issues, regardless of my perceived status. Seeing power beyond mere titles allows me to influence change through other ways such as meaningful conversations and presenting alternative viewpoints to challenge thinking. With the right knowledge and skills, I can overcome the fear of how my words would be received.
Ultimately, from our conversation I learned that as an Asian American fighting for representation and change in these spaces, I cannot wait for our community to be acknowledged. Rather, I need to claim my own seat at the table and drive the change myself. I'm grateful for this day at the Capitol and the opportunity to listen to Bill, as his talk challenged me to think about my fundamental perception of power, provided me with new ways to approach change making, and showed me how to secure a seat at the table, regardless of the obstacles that I may face when doing so.
CLA interns who work for State Senators in front of the seal
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 Malia Ferrer, 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.