My time in DC allowed me to realize my full potential, and to create a better vision of the role I see public service playing in my future. Being from California, DC exposed me to the ways different communities across the country express themselves through activism and culture. Learning about DC politics and the unique histories of the different neighborhoods that make up the federal district opened my eyes to see DC as more than just our center of government, but a place that thrives on storytelling and the work of marginalized communities to make their voices heard. At the same time, living and working in DC allowed me to get more used to the fast-paced nature of government work, and through my internship, I gained skills that I hope to take with me into my career in public service.
Through UCDC, I interned for the White House and the Biden-Harris Administration, working for the Tribal Affairs Team of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, which works to ensure that the White House is connected to our local, state, territorial, and Tribal governments. This department has always interested me, as I have done work at the local and state level in California, and have also engaged in research with Indigenous communities focusing on labor and activism. Through this internship, I was able to learn about the key issues facing Indigenous peoples and Tribal Nations throughout the United States, as well attend consultations and meetings with Tribal leaders themselves. For example, I was able to draft memos that focused on climate change, clean energy, Tribal sovereignty, and the effects of Indian Boarding Schools, in preparation for administration events. In addition to event planning, I was able to attend conversations with Tribal leaders, and learn how the administration works to keep in touch with Tribal governments, as well as how federal agency officials engage in implementing the President’s agenda as it relates to Indian Country.
Though I was able to gain skills in event planning, memo writing, and government outreach, being at the White House filled me with a sense of history and allowed me to recall my personal history as well. As a first-generation Latinx student at UC Berkeley, and as the son and grandson of farmworkers, never did I think that I would be able to work in the highest levels of the federal government. My internship, and my experience living in DC, has reminded me of my immigrant heritage, and how our immigrant communities, though they are often overlooked, make major contributions to our country.
Public service means being part of something greater than ourselves, and having the willingness and dedication to reinvesting in the communities we come from. My main takeaway from my DC experience is that public service is key to upholding our democracy. Yet, it is important for public servants and policymakers to engage in holistic policymaking, which means creating policy that acknowledges different perspectives, emphasizing the voices of marginalized communities. This is the type of policymaker and public official I want to be—someone who works with marginalized and Indigenous communities, and seeks to implement their perspectives into public policy. Our democracy can only truly function when all voices are included. As I approach graduation and the end of my time at Cal, I look forward to the doors that will be opened because of this opportunity.