The diversity of the working community and the population served, as well as the active supportive environment I felt from my peers as well as my professional superiors. I have never had a work environment like this one. On one particular day, I walked into the office, and I heard Dustin, the Camp Director, honestly say, "How can I best support you today?" Coming from a previous work environment that was hostile and unhealthy, this was remarkable to me. I wish every professional setting was like this one. No matter how I was hired or who paid me, regardless of how long I had worked there, I always felt like part of the team. On my second day of work, there was an event for one of the donors to Camp Morty specifically. They took a group photo, and the director of Westchester Parks Foundation - a fairly large organization - took the time to learn my name and personally stop the photo from being taken so that I could join in! I made friendships that I honestly believe will last a lifetime.
What I wish was different
I wish I was paid a bit more - I was hired through a temp agency so, as I understand it, I think that Westchester Parks Foundation: Camp Morty may have been paying me a wage greater than $15.00/hour, however, I only received $15.00/hour (before taxes) -- this is the nature of temp agencies, I just find that with a nonprofit like WPF and considering the work that they do, I wish that my wage matched their investment in employing me.
Advice
Going through a temp agency was definitely helpful by way of making connections, but it is difficult to work out payment/oversight sometimes. Also, I'm short of seeing how it benefits me, or others like me, beyond the opportunity to network. I don't think I will continue with the temp agency, however, as my contract outlines, I am technically free to work for WPF/Camp Morty upon six months of the end of my original assignment.
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Kitchen Assistant
June 2016 • North Salem, NY
What I liked
Almost everything, I love the people, the environment, and learning skills I'll use in my personal life
What I wish was different
Wish the camp would hire more people for the kitchen - we're a fully operating kitchen with much less people doing the full work course needed
Advice
Communication is the key to making sure everything goes right
