What are your main responsibilities at your position? What are some of your big projects? (this can include projects at your internship, your specific CAP project, etc)
For our CAP project, one of our main projects includes creating media and material to destigmatize mental health issues among NHAAPI youth. With USDA – APHIS, I hope to gain more responsibilities in database management and organizational management (not 100% sure yet).
How does this internship fit with your professional and career goals?
Although I have made the decision to work in the NGO sector in my professional career, I nonetheless thought it would be a good experience to work for the federal government. What interests me the most about CAPAL are the opportunities to hear about the experiences of other NHAAPI professionals and leaders in this space. Working on a CAP project is also interesting to me because I am interested in learning about nonprofit consulting and project development.
What do you hope to achieve this summer as a part of CAPAL’s 2022 cohort?
I hope to learn from my mentor and the other speakers throughout this summer. I also hope to gain work experience that would translate well to becoming a social worker and nonprofit worker.
What does public service mean to you? What sparked your interest or desire to get involved with public service?
Public service, to me, is being able to help the common good through avenues that are just and equitable. Whether it be through time, skills, or finances, the purpose of public service is to better the lives of the people being served. Volunteering with the elderly and with foster youth has shown me the importance of giving my time and effort to improve the lives of folks around me. Being a beneficiary of CalFresh has also taught me about stewarding my finances and my time, but also the importance of providing services and benefits for those in need.