Early care and education (ECE) is by no means a straightforward field of policy. It’s complex, constantly evolving, and often discouraging. But, thanks to CCRC, there’s no place I’d have rather begun my career.
In the summer of 2025, as I ended the junior year of my undergraduate studies, I joined CCRC as a Government Relations Intern. Through the early months of this experience, as I was situated by our amazing team into my roles and responsibilities, I regularly found myself overwhelmed by the plethora of grants, regulations, and politics we navigated on a seemingly never-ending basis. The support I received, though, was equally limitless, and I soon found my way.
No event more deeply confirmed my sense of belonging in ECE than CCRC’s annual policy conference in January 2026. After months of preparation and planning, getting the opportunity to meet our vast network of local and state partners was unlike anything I could have expected. Seeing firsthand the diversity of identities and backgrounds this field represents, accompanied by the astounding collective commitment to our shared mission, was an extremely motivating experience.
The start of California’s 2026 legislative session also provided its share of exciting opportunities. Through all of our legislative tracking and advocacy efforts, I look back most appreciatively on my days spent in Sacramento. Sitting in on hearings, participating in meetings with staffers, and many other instances taught me more than I could ever learn in a classroom.
Although my time with CCRC is coming to an end, and my future within ECE is uncertain, the past year has been an experience I’ll always remember. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this and all of CCRC.
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