Following is a unique look into the Corporate Work-Study program through the eyes of Cristo Rey Jesuit student, Gabriela Gill.

“You’re going to have to work!” my high school counselor told me.  “Work?” I asked.  “Yes, you’ll go to work in a really tall building,” she tried to explain.  She kept talking, but I know that my face must have said it all: I had no idea what she was talking about!

When I found out that I would be working at United Way as a student at Cristo Rey Jesuit, I did not feel shocked or scared, I felt completely confused.  What was United Way?  Why would they want me to work with them?

I went home and did a little research, and I was filled with joy when I found out what United Way does in the Houston community.  United Way is a charity that serves children, families, sick people who need access to health care, and many others.  It is a non-profit organization, which means that United Way uses any extra money it makes to help people, instead of just making more money for the people that work in the company.  There is basically no middle man, they help the people themselves.

I was excited about working at such a great place, but I was still anxious.  What would it be like?

My first day at work was not at all like I expected it to be.  I felt so nervous walking in on that first morning.  How could I be working in a real company?  Once I arrived at United Way, I got even more nervous – everyone kept smiling at me, and I was sure that I had something on my face and that they were all laughing at me.  Why else would they be smiling so much?

But I soon came to find that they weren’t laughing at me, they were happy that I was there to work with them.  It didn’t take long for me to figure out what was really going on:  United Way is fun!  The people there are always upbeat and really fun to work with – even on a Monday!  They teach me work skills that I would never imagine I would learn at 14 years old.

I spend most of my time inputting the addresses for items that will be shipped from United Way to their clients.  Along with learning how to use the computer to keep track of shipping information, and how to work in a professional environment, I’ve also learned that it is always okay to smile!

My name is Gabriela Gil, and I work for United Way.