Apply for the 2022 Leadership Academy 

Student Qualifications

  • Minimum GPA of 3.0

  • Must be a current undergraduate student with at least one term of college completed or a recent college graduate at program start (Class of 2022)

  • Must be able to attend and actively participate in all mandatory events

  • Priority will be given to Southern California Residents

    SELECTION PROCESS

The intern selection process will include two rounds: an online application and an interview for those that advance.

Interns will be selected based on demonstrated academic and personal excellence, leadership capacity, and a commitment to serving the APA community. Priority will be given to students interested in working in Southern California communities in their post-college careers. 

Applications must be received by CAUSE by Sunday, January 9th, 2022 at 11:59 pm PST. 

Letters of recommendation must be submitted no later than Sunday, January 23rd, 2022.

Interview 

All completed applications will be reviewed and top candidates will be invited the week of Monday, February 7th to interview with CAUSE staff. Interviews will be conducted the week of February 14th. All candidates will be interviewed via Zoom. Final decisions will be announced towards the end of April.

Additional ConsiderationS

TRANSPORTATION

All interns must be able to access a reliable source of transportation. Interns are required to commute to and from their office placement, weekly civic leadership workshops, various mandatory meetings/events, and to group project meetings on an as-needed basis.

HOUSING

Accepted interns are required to secure their own housing in Southern California for the duration of the program. 

MEALS

Interns will be responsible for their own meals on Monday Civic Leadership Sessions and during internship placement days. CAUSE will provide meals for major program events, such as the orientation retreat, kickoff, Capitol summit, and graduation.

**Please note: CLA is currently planned to be an in-person internship. However, as the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic and safety guidance change, the program may shift to virtual. If the program is virtual, interns will be informed in advance and will be required to provide their own computer and internet access for the internship hours.

 

Application COMPONENTS

To successfully submit your application, you will need to:

  1. Complete the online application (2022 application is now closed).

  2. Upload a PDF version of your professional resume.

  3. Upload a PDF version of your unofficial school transcript.

  4. Compose responses to the questions below for the application form.

    Short Response #1: Why are you interested in the CAUSE Leadership Academy? What do you hope to learn or gain from this internship program? (300 words max)

    Short Response #2: The CAUSE Leadership Academy develops leaders who are committed to serving their communities. What does community mean to you? How have you given back, supported, or uplifted your community? (300 words max)

    Short Response #3: What is an issue you are passionate about? Tell us about a past experience that shaped your views on that issue. (300 words max)

    Short Response #4: Please share anything else you would like the selection committee to consider?  (300 words max)

  5. A Letter of Recommendation uploaded by your recommender to the link here.

Please submit your application by Sunday, January 9th, 2022 at 11:59pm PST. Letter of recommendations can be submitted by Sunday, January 23rd, 2022 at 11:59pm PST.

About the Program

Thank you for your interest in applying for the CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA). Please complete the application below. If you have any questions about the program or application process, please review the CLA webpage here or email Shanahan Europa, Programs Coordinator, at shanahan@causeusa.org.