The CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA) is a paid nine-week internship program designed for college students and recent graduates passionate about government, civic leadership, and Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities. CLA provides hands-on political experiences that challenge individuals to grow as civic leaders, drive meaningful community change, and advocate for API communities.

Founded in 1991, CLA has been cultivating a pipeline of leaders dedicated to public service and API community advocacy. Since then, over 300 CLA graduates have gone on to leadership positions on their campuses, run for political office, and become leaders who shape policy through their work in politics, business, and nonprofit.

CLA consists of the following program components:

Students will receive a summer stipend from CAUSE for this program. Host offices are not required to provide an additional stipend for their intern.

At your offices, CAUSE interns will have the opportunity to:

• Support the day-to-day operations of offices, honing professional skills

• Observe and participate in community advocacy

• Learn about careers in government and policy

• Engage with communities doing non-partisan, policy related work

• Practice leadership skills they learn throughout CLA

• Grow their professional network

If you are interested in hosting a CLA Intern this summer, please fill out the interest form below. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Coby Nguyen, CAUSE Programs Coordinator, coby@causeusa.org.

Important Dates & Deadlines

What is expected of selected Host Offices?

as a critical part of the CLA intern experience, Host Offices will:

• Offer a work experience in a professional team environment (In-person internships will be prioritized)

• Provide opportunities for practicing professional skills through projects and office work.  CAUSE asks that offices do not include activities that would be considered lobbying.

• Supply interns with resources to complete assigned work (e.g. ID, key cards, parking, desk to work at, computer, access to printers, copiers, etc.)

• Communicate with CAUSE staff regarding intern performance

• Deepen interns’ understanding of issues impacting the API community and the impact of local policy

What is expected of Interns?

interns will:

• Work at Host Offices three (3) days a week (24 hours) from June 24 - August 14, 2025 

• Participate in CAUSE Civic Leadership Workshops on Mondays and Fridays

• Maintain consistent communication with the Host Office supervisor and CAUSE staff (e.g. work assignments, absences, etc.)

• Complete work as assigned by the Host Office

• Meet regularly with their Host Office supervisor for feedback; at minimum, a midway check-in and end of program checkout

• Complete a Mid- and Post-program survey

• Attend Capitol Summit and CAUSE Summer Soiree 

BY accepting an intern, Host Offices will agree to:

• Having the intern work for Host Office three (3) days a week (24 hours) from June 24 - August 14, 2025

• Select one staff person to be the intern’s supervisor and meet regularly with their intern regarding work process who will assign substantive work to their intern and complete Mid- and Post-program surveys

• Provide necessary accommodations for the intern to work on-site

• Communicate with CAUSE Program Coordinators regarding logistics

• Have at least one staff person attend the CAUSE Summer Soiree (Date TBD) and CLA Graduation (August 15, 2025)

• Excuse interns for Capitol Summit and CAUSE Summer Soiree (Dates TBD)

What is the pairing process?

The Host Office and intern pairing process takes into consideration a number of factors including Host Office needs, intern skills and areas for development, and commute time. 

What support will Host Offices receive from CAUSE?

1. Virtual Host Office training with CAUSE Staff

2. Mid- and Post-program surveys with optional meetings with CAUSE Staff for follow up

3. CAUSE Staff support to discuss and/or troubleshoot intern performance

2024 HOST OFFICES

Office of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla

Office of U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu

Office of U.S. Congressman Ted Lieu

Office of U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff

California Governor's Office of External Affairs

Office of California Attorney General Rob Bonta, External Affairs

Office of California Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez

Office of California State Senator Ben Allen

Office of California State Senator Susan Rubio

Office of California Assemblymember Mike Fong

Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis

Office of Los Angeles Councilwoman Heather Hutt

Office of Irvine Councilmember Tammy Kim

WHAT PAST HOST OFFICES HAVE SAID

Please complete the Host Office Placement Interest Form if you are interested in hosting a CLA Intern at your office this summer.

If you have any questions, please reach out to CAUSE Programs Coordinator, Coby Nguyen at coby@causeusa.org.

The 2025 CAUSE Leadership Academy is Supported by

PRESIDENTIAL

SENATORIAL

gubernatorial