As a Community Health Outreach Worker (CHOW) for St. Mary's College of Maryland (SMCM), I was able to participate in some really fulfilling and meaningful work in service of the St. Mary's County community and its disadvantaged residents.
The work environment was friendly, and I was able to build a great rapport with my boss, my coworkers, and even the staff at some of the local institutions we collaborated with (food pantries, soup kitchens, the local health department, etc.).
The pay is good, especially considering how rewarding the work already is. I also like that the employers recognize the difficulty of holding a job during the school year, and how that's reflected in the options they offer students for part-time employment.
Ultimately, I have nothing but good things to say about this position. I had a lovely time working for CHOWs this summer, and I hope to continue working for them in a part-time capacity over the rest of my time at SMCM.
What I wish was different
Not much, to be honest. I do wish the gas reimbursement system was a little more streamlined, but it's honestly just a matter of putting in effort to properly record and log your drive times and hours.
Advice
Knowledge of multiple languages is an incredibly valuable trait you can bring to the table when applying for a job with the CHOWs. You can serve as an interpreter at community events, or translate materials to be distributed to the public.
