This as-told-to essay draws from an interview with 23-year-old Careb Bien-Aime, an information systems management student at New York University. The account has been adjusted for brevity and flow.

After transferring from community college, I am now pursuing an information systems management degree at NYU.

For several years I served as a home health aide while enrolled in school. My mother, a certified nursing assistant, suggested the role, and I already knew the field well because it is common in the Haitian community where my family comes from.

I needed part-time work that fit around community college classes without requiring advanced technical skills. My mother advised me to obtain a personal care aide certificate, which involved one week of training scheduled around my coursework. After completing the online application and the full-day in-person sessions, I began receiving assignments.

In April 2025 I left one agency to seek another opportunity. Around that period I also started earning money from social media sponsorships. By summer I was preparing to study abroad, and upon returning I chose not to resume home health work because my focus is now on technology rather than healthcare.

My hours adapted to classes

The main appeal was the adaptable schedule. I arranged shifts around my classes, often working three days each week and studying on the remaining days. When extra income was needed I could accept a 12-hour shift or, on occasion, a live-in assignment lasting one or two days.

Some placements were ongoing with the same client each week. Other times an agency would contact me about a short nearby visit, describing the client needs and the level of effort involved.

Daily tasks included assisting with hygiene such as tooth brushing and bathing, preparing meals, supporting mobility, and helping with transfers between bed, wheelchair, or walker. When a client could not stand, a Hoyer Lift was used to move them safely. Some aides avoid these lifts because they can feel risky if the equipment malfunctions.

Certain clients required little physical help and mainly wanted company or meal preparation. During quiet periods I completed homework.

Rewards came with physical and emotional demands

One agency paid 19.15 dollars per hour. The rate was reasonable, yet many people overlook how much effort caregiving requires. Both physically and emotionally the work involves supporting another person, which can be draining when the client needs extensive assistance.

I valued the conversations with clients. The role felt fulfilling because it allowed me to support people in need and taught me about family relationships and personal well-being. At the same time it created strain from lifting and moving patients, and it could be emotionally heavy when clients felt isolated. My first regular client passed away after I had worked with them for roughly a year, which was difficult after building a connection.

The position suits certain students

I would suggest the job to classmates who are patient and empathetic. It does not suit anyone uncomfortable interacting closely with others, because neglecting a client is never acceptable.

The work can be especially useful for nursing students or anyone considering healthcare. Unlike retail positions I have held, this role requires constant attention to the person in your care, though the challenges differ.

Many older adults need support

Some seniors remain active until a fall changes their independence. Demand for home health aides stays high because families often cannot manage aging relatives alone due to other obligations. In my experience many older adults lack sufficient family assistance, so aides help them remain safe and supported at home.