2024 CLA Cohort at the Sacramento Capitol
After spending ten days battling a persistent respiratory infection, which unfortunately kept me away from my work with CAUSE, I finally emerged from my sick leave, eager to re-engage with my responsibilities. My return to work was greeted with a pleasant surprise virtual meet-and-greet with the staff and other interns of my host office, the California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s External Affairs Office.
This session offered a great opportunity to put faces to the names of those who keep the external affairs office running smoothly. More importantly, it was heart-warming to see how much the team values and appreciates us as interns. During our introductions, we were asked about our biggest takeaways from the internship so far. With only a few moments to think, I reflected on my work updating communication databases and settled on one significant observation: the critical importance of making government resources more accessible.
Even as a native English speaker and someone who grew up in a technology-reliant generation, I’ve encountered surprising difficulty in locating information such as police chief emails or city attorney phone numbers because of outdated government websites. If I find these tasks difficult, I can only imagine how much harder it must be for immigrants like my parents, who have limited English fluency.
What made this realization particularly meaningful was how it connected the seemingly mundane administrative work I’ve been doing with my host office to the broader issues we’re exploring with CAUSE and our mock campaigns. Language accessibility, a key policy platform my team is focusing on, is more than just an abstract concept—it’s embedded in everyday government failings that subtly yet significantly affect our lives.
Reflecting on this experience, I’m reminded that even the most routine tasks can reveal deeper insights into the systemic barriers faced by marginalized communities. As I continue with my internship, I’m motivated to bridge the gap between public policy and direct service, ensuring that government resources become more accessible and equitable for all.
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 Anais Sornkatetin, 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.