Intern Anais Sornkatetin with CAUSE Executive Director Nancy Yap, Program Coordinators Andrea Mac, Coby Nguyen, and Isalys De La Rosa
Not even a full week following the conclusion of CLA, I am already back to work, starting my second year at UC Berkeley and moving into my first-ever apartment. With a whirlwind of fresh starts and new experiences so closely succeeding such a bittersweet yet fulfilling end to the internship, I’ve barely had time to process the full breadth of my feelings and takeaways. Perhaps a good way to start, is to echo the sentiments I shared during my thank you speech at the CLA graduation: “This summer, I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of CAUSE’s Civic Leadership Academy (CLA). Out of all the internships I could have chosen, CAUSE’s unique structure provided an unmatched experience. I learned professional skills through workshops and panels on networking, root cause analysis, branding, and campaigning, and then applied those skills through host office days and networking events. The combination of learning and hands-on experience was invaluable, and I doubt I could have found it anywhere else.”
The before-mentioned panels and workshops, offered insights that I feel incredibly fortunate to have gained early in my professional career, an opportunity not regularly afforded to those of my background. I went into this summer not knowing the intricacies behind networking and campaigning, and have come out of it now able to say that I’ve applied these lessons in my work. Additionally, they not only taught me about essential skills but also opened my eyes to various career pathways. I started the internship with a focus on law school, but after hearing from multiple professionals, I feel more secure int the fact that I do not have to default to law school because of my major and I am excited about exploring new possibilities before deciding.
I am also grateful for my placement in California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s Office of External Affairs, where I got my first real exposure to government work. This placement allowed me to gain insights into administrative processes and even provided the incredible opportunity to meet and speak with the Attorney General himself. This experience deepened my understanding of how government offices operate and affirmed my interest in public policy.
Intern Anais Sornkatetin at the 2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy Graduation at Blossom Market Hall, San Gabriel
Overall, this internship has significantly boosted my confidence. Reflecting back on my initial blog post, where I expressed doubts and uncertainties, I can see how much I have grown. I now know more about AAPI issues beyond the standard topics, and have gained a deeper understanding of the challenges our community faces. Knowing that CAUSE saw potential in me has validated my sense of accomplishment and reminds me to see that potential in myself, too.
Looking forward, I am excited to stay connected within the CAUSE network, not just professionally but also personally, with my cohort and the staff at CAUSE, who I can now say are no longer just my colleagues and superiors, but my friends. As for next steps, I am eager to explore new opportunities, like a potential internship in Washington, D.C., to gain experience on a federal level, and I am also interested in pursuing research-based work inspired by my mock campaign experience and my passion for policy.
2024 CLA Inters post graduation