It has been just 32 days since the official start of the NJ Lead program, yet I’ve gained so many experiences that I will treasure for a lifetime. From hearing about the careers of the very best in government, politics, and advocacy to interning at the office of Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, I have learned what it truly means to be a public servant.

I am so grateful to be working at Assemblyman Raj Mukerji’s office this summer. My career aspirations include serving the country after college and running for office, both of which he has done. His experience in the field and passion for politics shine through in every conversation. As for the work I’ve completed, it has mainly been filling out campaign endorsement questionnaires from different organizations. I’ve learned to research bills and answer questions with just the right amount of wiggle room while still holding true to the Assemblyman’s values.

I’ve also had the pleasure of sitting in on a couple of meetings with groups looking to advance pieces of legislation - groups such as SAG Aftra and the Humane Rescue Alliance. Through these meetings, I’ve learned the importance of listening to the concerns of constituents and working through roadblocks, putting together solutions for them. 

Every Saturday, the fellows come together to hear from speakers of different backgrounds and ask them questions about the work they do. Of these speakers, Phil Thompson and Al Barlas stood out to me. Phil Thompson spoke with us about his work in several municipal, state, and national campaigns. He emphasized the importance of knowing the intention of your work - to help people. This powerful sense of heart and purpose that he brought to every campaign, no matter how small, was extremely inspiring. Al Barlas spoke with us about his experience as a South Asian in the Republican Party. As a young Republican myself, it was amazing to see someone who looked like me in the party bringing his unique perspective to the table. 

It’s hard to believe that in two weeks the program will come to a close and I’ll have built several connections that I could only have dreamt of having before. Applying to NJ Lead was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and I am so lucky that I stumbled upon this opportunity just a week before the deadline.

The whole point of the program is to expose South Asian youth to this world of advocacy and service; to encourage us to be the next elected officials and call the shots for our communities. I always knew this was what I wanted to do, but during these past 4 weeks I learned from people who fight for a better future - and now it has confirmed my passion to be one of them.