‘Taking the Initiative’

Beatriz Cazho Garcia ’28 has heard the prevailing wisdom about how disconnected young people are from politics and government—and she’s proving it wrong.

Cazho Garcia, who has been interning with Massachusetts Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa this summer, has been active in civic life since her high school days in her hometown of Amherst.

“I think young people are very engaged,” says the Smith government major. “Growing up in the digital age, people see us as disconnected. But I see youth leveraging that to their advantage, and so many examples of young people taking the initiative.”

Cazho Garcia’s past experience with groups such as the Community Action Pioneer Valley Youth Council helped spark her interest in public policy. She has also had internships with the Massachusetts Trial Court in Greenfield, and Family Reach, a Boston-based nonprofit that offers financial help to families facing cancer.

Cazho Garcia first met Rep. Sabadosa at a local Youth Steering Committee event at Smith last year, “where we talked about cell phones in schools.” Her work in Sabadosa’s office this summer has included staffing town halls and other public events, attending hearings and conferences, and responding to calls and letters from constituents.

“Beatriz has been really fun to have around the office and at events,” says Sabadosa, whose Northampton office is hosting three interns this summer. “I always appreciate her comments afterwards. She is good at being thoughtful and reading the room. That’s a skill that will serve her well.”

In an interview in the final weeks of her internship, Cazho Garcia shared some thoughts about her experience.

What is a typical day like for you in Rep. Sabadosa’s office?
“Starting out, we did a lot of data entry. More recently, we’ve been going to a lot of community events. Just yesterday, we went to the Regional Tibetan Association of Massachusetts’ celebration of the Dalai Lama’s birthday. Events are one of my favorite parts of the job. I love hearing about the different projects and talking to people. We had a town hall the other week and a big concern was transportation, especially for the aging population of our area. That was interesting to learn about.”

We hear a lot about political divides and the lack of civil discourse in politics. Have you had to deal with irate citizens on the phone or at events?
“I haven’t yet. A big part of my job is responding to letters and what I like best is answering letters from students. Letters were hard for me at the beginning. At Smith, my papers are very analytical. But with these letters, you have to think about your audience. You have to do your research and tailor the writing. That’s become one of my favorite skills.”

What’s an example you’ve seen of young people being engaged in politics?
“I do see young people taking the initiative. The interns [in Sabadosa’s office] are currently working with the Amherst Feminist Generation group and hopefully Smith students, as well, on a fall event to spread awareness of menstrual justice [fair treatment for people who menstruate]. It’s youth who are facilitating that work.”

”What brought you to Smith?
“When I was looking at colleges, I wanted to stay close to my family in Amherst. I was matched with Smith through the QuestBridge program [which connects high-achieving low-income students to scholarships at selective colleges] and I applied as a government/psychology major. Now, what I’m doing is government and neuroscience. I’m thinking of going into health law.”

That’s an interesting combination. How do you connect your studies in government and neuroscience?
“At the start, I was focused on law school. Now, I’m seeing how health and health access are connected to policy. This fall I’m going to be working in a neuroscience lab at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and I’ll also be taking some government classes. I’m excited about the interdisciplinary approach. It helps me learn more when it’s not just one subject.”

Have there been any surprises in your work this summer?
“In a community meeting recently we went to Rockridge retirement community [in Northampton] and there was a lot of concern expressed about data centers and technology. That was surprising to me—just the range of issues that are important to people.”

Have you thought about running for elected office someday?
“I have learned that career pivots are part of life. Maybe after some time practicing as an attorney, that would be something I’d consider doing.”

What advice do you have for fellow Smithies?
“Voice your passion. You have to demonstrate a genuine interest in something when you talk to a professor about doing research with them, or when you’re in an interview. You do have to be brave, and although it can take a while to build up that skill, it will definitely serve you well when networking or in an internship setting. The best thing is to show what you are passionate about.”