Is Remote Work Hurting the Development of Early Career Professionals?
The Andrews & Cole Team
Is Remote Work Hurting the Development of Early Career Professionals?
We hear daily about how the future of work has changed dramatically and that most professionals want to work remotely most, if not all, of the time. And we understand why: commuting is costly and time consuming; people feel more productive when working remotely because they are eliminating the meetings, side bars and water cooler conversations. But, what is the opportunity cost for professionals who never, or only for a short time, work in the office with peers, subordinates, managers and executives? It’s significant, say some of our workforce experts.
1. Learning Organically
Being present in the office introduces a variety of learning opportunities that are nonexistent when working behind a computer screen. When working in-office, one is surrounded by coworkers taking calls, talking to clients, and talking to each other. If you’re remote, you’re out of sight, out of mind. Your boss may not even think to include you in a meeting, while she might include you if you’re in the office. There’s a “learning through osmosis” that can only happen in person. Andrews & Cole President, Nicole DelToro adds “my first job out of college was working in a small business so I saw everything that happened, from accounting to IT to sales to operations. Had I been working remotely, I would have only had insight into my small piece of the puzzle.”
2. Business Acumen
Working in-office provides an opportunity to see and hear what’s happening in other departments, helping you to build your business savvy and see the big picture of how your department fits into your organizations’ goals and mission. One of our early career professionals (a recent college grad) adds, “I've learned so much about the business and professional world by just witnessing it happening around me. I wouldn't have the same understanding and comfortability if I were fully remote.”
3. Relationship Building & Rapport
When employees build relationships with their coworkers, their motivation and productivity increase. In fact, the more comfortable coworkers are around one another, the more confident they feel voicing new ideas, opinions, and brainstorming. One of our recent interns says, “Since joining the team, I’ve been able to build relationships with other employees by asking questions and having quick conversations, which is difficult to do in a virtual setting.” Building trust and respect with coworkers through water cooler chats or team lunches builds company morale and is critical for building professional networks.
4. Business Etiquette
In-office work gives young professionals opportunities to hone their business etiquette. While working remotely gives you the ability to wear your favorite pair of sweatpants to your 9 AM call, working in the office teaches young professionals how to act and represent a company and themselves professionally. Though offices are no longer the stuffy, overly structured and segmented places depicted in shows like "Mad Men," there are still points of etiquette that can only be learned from participation in person including professional presentation of yourself and your work product, standing to shake someone's hand, when to speak at a meeting.
5. Increased Motivation
We all have trouble motivating occasionally. Remote work exacerbates that. Being surrounded by coworkers working towards the same mission is great way to stay focused, determined, and energized while working. “I bought a house at age 23 because I was working in an environment where everyone was a homeowner. Had I been working remotely, I would’ve seen less, known less and accomplished less at an early age,” adds DelToro.
The Andrews & Cole experts suggest that young professionals embrace the opportunity to work in person with their teams, even if it means having to commute and put on pants.
1. Learning Organically
Being present in the office introduces a variety of learning opportunities that are nonexistent when working behind a computer screen. When working in-office, one is surrounded by coworkers taking calls, talking to clients, and talking to each other. If you’re remote, you’re out of sight, out of mind. Your boss may not even think to include you in a meeting, while she might include you if you’re in the office. There’s a “learning through osmosis” that can only happen in person. Andrews & Cole President, Nicole DelToro adds “my first job out of college was working in a small business so I saw everything that happened, from accounting to IT to sales to operations. Had I been working remotely, I would have only had insight into my small piece of the puzzle.”
2. Business Acumen
Working in-office provides an opportunity to see and hear what’s happening in other departments, helping you to build your business savvy and see the big picture of how your department fits into your organizations’ goals and mission. One of our early career professionals (a recent college grad) adds, “I've learned so much about the business and professional world by just witnessing it happening around me. I wouldn't have the same understanding and comfortability if I were fully remote.”
3. Relationship Building & Rapport
When employees build relationships with their coworkers, their motivation and productivity increase. In fact, the more comfortable coworkers are around one another, the more confident they feel voicing new ideas, opinions, and brainstorming. One of our recent interns says, “Since joining the team, I’ve been able to build relationships with other employees by asking questions and having quick conversations, which is difficult to do in a virtual setting.” Building trust and respect with coworkers through water cooler chats or team lunches builds company morale and is critical for building professional networks.
4. Business Etiquette
In-office work gives young professionals opportunities to hone their business etiquette. While working remotely gives you the ability to wear your favorite pair of sweatpants to your 9 AM call, working in the office teaches young professionals how to act and represent a company and themselves professionally. Though offices are no longer the stuffy, overly structured and segmented places depicted in shows like "Mad Men," there are still points of etiquette that can only be learned from participation in person including professional presentation of yourself and your work product, standing to shake someone's hand, when to speak at a meeting.
5. Increased Motivation
We all have trouble motivating occasionally. Remote work exacerbates that. Being surrounded by coworkers working towards the same mission is great way to stay focused, determined, and energized while working. “I bought a house at age 23 because I was working in an environment where everyone was a homeowner. Had I been working remotely, I would’ve seen less, known less and accomplished less at an early age,” adds DelToro.
The Andrews & Cole experts suggest that young professionals embrace the opportunity to work in person with their teams, even if it means having to commute and put on pants.
Nicole DelToro has been helping organizations (big and small) hire and retain top talent for over 25 years, while helping individuals realize their personal and professional goals by ensuring they’re working in the environment that’s ideal for their current situation. Contact her at: [email protected].
Andrews & Cole is a certified woman-owned boutique executive search and consulting firm with a focus on accounting and finance professionals. Clients range from start ups to Fortune 100 in nearly every industry.
Andrews & Cole is a certified woman-owned boutique executive search and consulting firm with a focus on accounting and finance professionals. Clients range from start ups to Fortune 100 in nearly every industry.
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