The CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA), is a nine-week paid internship program for college undergraduates that prepares the next generation to lead and represent the Asian Pacific American (APA) community.
Founded in 1991 as the California Asian American Student Internship Coalition (CASIC), CLA’s goal is to develop a pipeline of civic leadership for the APA community. As the fastest growing community in the United States, it is key that representation and leadership in the public, private, and non-profit sectors keep pace with our country’s changing demographics.
Through CLA, students are exposed to thought leaders, policymakers, and the issues of the day. Interns gain a deeper awareness of the civic issues facing the APA community in California. By the program’s end, students will have an understanding of how to engage in the politics of the day to affect the change they want to see in the world. Graduates of this program have gone on to run for political office and become leaders in politics, business, and nonprofits.
27 Classes of Interns
Join a network of 27 years of intern classes. Graduates of this program have gone on to run for political office and become leaders in politics, business, and nonprofits.
Full-Time 9-week Internship
Each intern commits to and receives a full-time internship experience (minimum 40 hours per week) from June 15, 2020 – August 14, 2020. Additional hours to work on a group project will also be required.
Stipend
Each intern receives a $3,000 stipend upon satisfactory completion of the program to serve as reimbursement for expenses accrued throughout the program’s duration. Limited additional support is made available on a case-by-case basis.
Program Components
Monday: Civic Leadership Workshops
Tuesday – Thursday: Internship Placement
Friday: Networking Meetings & Group Project
Internship Experience
Participants are placed in an office in one of three tracks of internship placements in the public, private, or non-profit sectors to work with community and civic leaders of Southern California. Students gain firsthand working experience and learn more about the political and civic process. CLA participants work closely with professionals in their office to build strong community relations, and they may be given other responsibilities and projects that help shape current day policies.
Civic Leadership Workshops
Interns will participate in civic leadership workshops to develop a greater understanding of the APA community’s historical experience and insight into current political issues. The civic leadership workshops also help students develop key professional and leadership skills needed for future community leadership. Workshops are hosted at local organizations so that students can better connect with the community. Speakers include elected officials, political consultants and lobbyists, and corporate and non-profit leaders.
Civic engagement Project
Each intern cohort develops a civic based project to empower the larger community. Students learn the importance of and develop greater experience with community organizing. Students gain professional experience in achieving their project goals with guidance from CAUSE staff. Project results are presented to the CAUSE Board of Directors, community members, media, and the general public. Students learn the importance of community organizing as well as the work that goes into it.
Annual Capitol Summit
Students participate in an annual summit at the California State Capitol in Sacramento. During this two-day overnight trip, students meet with top legislators, staffers, and lobbyists within the CAUSE network to better understand the political process and their role in it.
Learning Objectives
Throughout the program, interns will:
Explore how the public, private, and nonprofit sectors connect through civic leadership
Develop the skills and mindsets to be effective in political advocacy and organizing
Deepen their understanding of specific issues that impact the APA community
Consider how their personal experiences and identity fit within an APA historical context
Develop professional skills and leadership experience they can leverage in my long-term career
Connect to a large and thriving professional network
2019 Interns
Our internship is highly selective and each intern is selected based on their demonstrated academic and personal excellence, demonstrated leadership capabilities, and a commitment to serving their community.
Amanda Yuen
Intern at Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley
Amber Chong
Intern at the Office of Assemblymember Ed Chau
Amy Ho
Intern at the Office of Congressman Lou Correa
Angela Wang
Intern at IW Group
Brandon Tabata
Intern at Transparent Arts
Lena Nguyen
Intern at Southern California Gas Company
Maamaloa Finau
Intern at Los Angeles Walks
Matthew Lee
Intern at the Office of Congresswoman Judy Chu
Maya Wong
Intern at East West Players
Nina Long
Intern at EV Connect
Olivia Dulai
Intern at the Office of Senator Ben Allen
Shekinah Deocares
Intern at Pilipino Workers Center (PWC)
Shumin He
Intern at the Office of State Treasurer Fiona Ma
Thanh Mai
Intern at the Office of Congressmember Grace Napolitano
Yanqing Lei
Intern at CAUSE
Important Dates & Deadlines
Event
Application Opens
Application Closes
Decisions Announced
Orientation Week
Kickoff
Annual Capitol Summit
Graduation
Date
Monday, October 28, 2019
Sunday, January 12, 2020, 11:59PM PST
Early March
Monday, June 15, 2020 – Thursday, June 18, 2020
Friday, June 19, 2020
TBD
Friday, August 14, 2020
What Alumni Say
“As someone who felt lost between being Asian and American, my time at CAUSE was an eye-opening experience that helped me discover my identity and how I fit into the APA community.”
“Before joining CAUSE, I believed that I needed to wait for “the leader” to come along. I thought that waiting for someone else to take the lead was the only option, but now I realize how I can be the leader myself.”
the experience
The 2019 Leadership Academy is Supported by
Charlie Woo
Nelson Tan
