Luz Castro ’17, a first-generation student majoring in Spanish and political science, is headed to Washington, D.C. this summer where she will participate in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's (CHCI) Internship Program. CHCI aims to educate, empower, and connect Latino students in order encourage them to make meaningful impact on their communities as leaders.
Castro was inspired to apply to this competitive congressional internship because of her humble beginnings. “Growing up in the underserved city of Bell Gardens with a single [and] undocumented mother, we often struggled having to live in a small four-wall room with no restroom or kitchen and hunger was a frequent reality,” said Castro.
As a congressional intern, Castro will work for eight weeks in either a congressional office or federal agency where she will gain hands-on experience with Washington, D.C. politics by responding to constituent inquiries, attending congressional hearings, conducting legislative research, data entry and analysis, and general office operations. She hopes to get a deeper understanding of issues in immigration, labor, health, and homeland security. Most importantly, this opportunity will serve as the foundation for her desire to create community empowerment in Los Angeles.
Castro looks forward to learning more about the legislative process in order to push for reform to better her community. After graduation in 2017, she will pursue an active career in politics by working as a labor organizer or field deputy at a congressional office, then as a lawyer representing workers and dealing with immigration issues, and finally to truly make big picture reform, she hopes to run for State Congress and as a member of the House or Representatives.
