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CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA) Internship

Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE)
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The CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA) is a paid, nine-week internship program designed for college students and recent graduates who are passionate about government, civic leadership, and advocating for Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities. Founded in 1991, CLA has cultivated a strong pipeline of leaders dedicated to public service and API community advocacy. Since its inception, over 300 CLA graduates have advanced to leadership roles on their campuses, run for political office, and shaped policy through impactful careers in politics, business, and the nonprofit sector.

 

Only applications completed through this link will be considered: https://bit.ly/2025claapplication

 

Program Overview
CLA offers hands-on political and civic engagement experiences, blending professional development with a deep understanding of civic issues affecting API communities. Interns will work in a dynamic, in-person environment, participating in both direct engagement at CAUSE and a host office placement. The program provides a comprehensive learning experience and includes a $4,000 stipend for interns who complete the program.

  • Time Commitment: Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week (2 days at CAUSE and 3 days with a Host Office Placement)
  • Host Office Placement: Interns will be placed in government or civic engagement nonprofit offices in Southern California.

Key Components of the Internship

Civic Leadership Workshops:
Throughout the program, CAUSE will provide a number of training sessions meant to provide opportunities to learn and practice leadership skills while expanding an understanding of civic engagement.

Host Office Placement:
Each intern will be placed in either a government office or a civic engagement focused non-profit host office in Southern California. Interns will learn through professional experience for three (3) days a week.

Civic Engagement Project (CAUSE Mock Campaign):
With a combination of learning and practice, interns will have the opportunity to learn about the different roles of a campaign and put it into practice through a mock campaign. In the past, participants have created campaigns for California Assembly District 49 in the West San Gabriel Valley.  This project includes building out a campaign’s budget and strategy, creating a policy platform, preparing for endorsement panels, fundraising, and speaking to district residents.

Capitol Summit:
Interns will travel to the State Capitol and engage with elected officials and legislative staff who advocate for API communities. The focus of this experience will be to learn about the various career opportunities in government and meet the API leaders who are currently working there

Program Focus Areas

  • Civic Leadership: Meet influential leaders, learn campaign mechanics, and engage with community advocates who share their policy experiences and career journeys.
  • Professional Development: Develop essential skills for transitioning into the workforce, including communication, resume writing, interviewing, and financial literacy.
  • Networking: Build connections with a vast network of CAUSE alumni and leaders dedicated to API civic empowerment. Participate in exclusive events and engage in meaningful cohort-based learning.
  • Policy Discussions: Engage in conversations on critical issues impacting the API community, such as anti-API hate, education, healthcare, energy, workforce development, and housing.

Program Goals
By the end of the program, interns will have:

  • Explored civic leadership career paths.
  • Developed professional skills for political advocacy and campaign support.
  • Built connections with leaders and mentors within the CAUSE network.
  • Gained an in-depth understanding of issues affecting the API community.

Application Details

  • Application Deadline: Sunday, January 26, 2025, by 11:59 pm PST
  • Letters of Recommendation Deadline: Sunday, February 9, 2025, by 11:59 pm PST

For full consideration, ensure both the application and letters of recommendation are submitted by their respective deadlines.

Learn more: https://www.causeusa.org/leadership-academy

Contact Isalys De La Rosa, CAUSE Programs Coordinator, at isalys@causeusa.org for questions or additional information.