This article aims to address a few aspects related to the lives of the community health workers in the city of São Carlos, São Paulo. Qualitative research was used to build this study, with the application of semi-structured interviews and thematic content analyses. Four categories resulted from the analysis: How I see my work; the difficulties and advantages of living in the neighborhood; the CHA in their different roles, and, ultimately, quality of life: life as it is. Being closer to the reality being studied enabled a view of the community health agents beyond the work dimension and highlighted aspects that particularize and set them apart from other professionals in the Unified Health System, namely: Being a worker, resident and user. We conclude that the community health agent needs to be understood based on the uniqueness of the profession, providing personal empowerment and a professional routine.
public health; community health agent; working conditions; qualitative research