BY CLAIRE SCHAD
Breaking into your career can be daunting. Whether you’re rounding out your time in college, considering graduate school or navigating your first few professional steps, the path forward isn’t always clear. That’s exactly why Capitol Connections exists.
Hosted by Lucas Public Affairs at the UC Student and Policy Center, this annual lunchtime dialogue brings together interns, students and early-career professionals from across the Capitol community to hear directly from legislative and industry leaders about what it takes to break into business and build a lasting career, from public service to private sector.
Leadership in Practice
Each year, the event is planned and executed by LPA’s intern and apprentice team. This year, Leila Cormier-Pajaud, Sophie Fenimore and I built the event from start to finish. The result? An engaging program that welcomed young professionals to UC Student and Policy Center for an honest, engaging conversation about career paths, and challenges, as well as advice and tips.
The panel featured a powerhouse lineup of professionals:
- Assemblymember Maggy Krell
- Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen
- KCRA Capitol Correspondent Ashley Zavala
- Athletics’ Senior Director of Communications Mark Ling
Together, they offered insights into first jobs, unexpected pivots, tough decisions and important lessons each learned along the way.
Humble Beginnings Build Strong Foundations
Pizza parlors, Togo’s Sandwiches, shaved ice stands and construction sites — those were the first jobs of Assemblymember Krell, Assemblymember Nguyen, Ashley Zavala and Mark Ling, respectively.
While their roles today span the Capitol and beyond, their early experiences grounded them in values like work ethic, resilience and service. “I know how to make a killer sandwich,” joked Assemblymember Nguyen, reflecting on her first job at Togo’s.
Those early roles do more than just build résumés, however. They teach humility, teamwork skills and build confidence in navigating real-world challenges. Each job, no matter how small, offers lessons that shape professional perspective and prepare us for future opportunities.
Relationships Matter
In politics, media and sports alike, success doesn’t happen in a vacuum, it’s built on relationships and a reputation for trustworthiness.
For Mark Ling, who’s spent years cultivating trust with fans, media and players, the formula is simple but important: “Handle hard questions, be honest and follow through.”
Assemblymember Nguyen emphasized how relationship-building is the lifeblood of effective policymaking in the Capitol: “Everything in that building is about relationships.” Whether you’re advocating for a bill, negotiating a budget, or finding consensus across party lines, the connections you make — and how you maintain them — determine your ability to lead and get things done.
Ashley Zavala, known famously for holding public officials accountable and asking tough questions of those in power, offered another angle on trust: “You’re serving the public… and you have a duty to accurately represent what’s happening.”
For her, trust is built through strong, reliable relationships across all corners of the Capitol, the kind where she can pick up the phone and get candid insight when it matters most.
The takeaway is clear: be someone others can count on as reliable. Treat everyone with kindness, show up consistently and honor your word – it will open more doors than you can imagine.
Stay Curious; Take Initiative
If there was one piece of advice I heard repeated in different forms throughout the panel, it was this: stay curious.
Assemblymember Krell encouraged attendees to speak up and ask questions. “Be curious… Your question will prompt us to rethink things,” she said, signaling that fresh perspectives from early-career professionals are not only welcome, but needed.
But curiosity alone isn’t enough, resilience and boldness are just as important. Ashley Zavala, reflecting on her journalism journey, noted, “Now is a good time to have really tough skin.” Whether you’re chasing a story, navigating political dynamics, or learning to advocate for yourself, you need confidence in your voice and clarity in your purpose.
Mark Ling urged attendees to pursue what excites us: “Shoot your shot. Find something you love and go for it.” In other words, don’t wait for permission. Go after the opportunities that align with your passions and trust that persistence will yield results.
Adaptability also emerged as a crucial trait. “Be flexible,” Ashley added. “That will take you far.” In an environment as dynamic as California’s Capitol, those who adapt, without compromising their values, are the ones who thrive.
A Vision That Extends Beyond the Room
Capitol Connections is one of the many meaningful ways LPA invests in the next generation of leaders. The event reflects a long-standing commitment to investing in future public affairs professionals.
The future of the Capitol community depends on who has access to it and who sees themselves reflected in it. By cultivating talent and expanding opportunity, efforts like Capitol Connections help create a public affairs ecosystem that’s more connected, more inclusive and more impactful.
“Capitol Connections is about developing future leaders and equipping them with the tools, relationships and confidence to do it,” said Cassandra Pye, LPA President.
I was really proud of and excited to be a part of this year’s program. Thank you to our speakers for generously sharing their time and wisdom, and for helping create space for future changemakers to build meaningful careers.
