In the wake of the pandemic, more companies are shifting to remote work—either completely or allowing employees to choose it as an option. For example, both startups and established companies like SAP and LinkedIn have given their employees the choice to work from home permanently. As a result, more new grads can consider remote work when starting their careers. Here are a few of the ways that working remotely can benefit new grads.
For new grads with college loans or an empty bank account, one of the biggest draws of remote work is the potential impact on savings. If you don’t need to worry about living near an office, you can choose where you’d like to live, avoiding relocation costs. Remote work also gives new grads the flexibility to live at home with family members to save money, or stay in an area with a low cost of living. In fact, some towns are offering to pay remote workers just to move there!
One caveat to this is that companies will have tax implications for the states in which their employees live. So you should check with prospective employers first to make sure that where you live (or want to live) works for them, too.
A study by Business Insider estimated that prior to the pandemic, Americans spent between $2,000 and $5,000 per year on transportation costs, depending on the state. Much of that transportation budget is spent on commuting. Not only can commuting be costly, but it also takes up valuable time. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau found that in 2019, the average one-way commute time reached a new peak of 27.6 minutes—for those working in an office every day, that’s nearly five hours a week on average spent getting to and from work. With a remote job, you don’t have to worry about the time or money spent on commuting.
Some people work better without the distractions of an office, so working from home might mean you can focus better and be a more productive employee. There may be less ambient noise, less small talk, fewer meetings, and fewer interruptions. Neurodiverse employees, in particular, might find it easier to work from home for reasons such as these. Communication may be more streamlined to channels like Slack or email, and video calls still enable face-to-face communication with co-workers and managers.
Throughout your time in college, you have likely gotten used to figuring out your preferred space to study. With remote work, you would also have the flexibility to design your workspace however you want in order to maximize your own productivity. You can choose your own desk, chair, and storage system for any notes and materials. Some companies will even offer a WFH stipend to help you get set up! No matter where you choose to work, always make sure you are equipped with a reliable Internet connection, a working webcam and microphone, and decent lighting.
Remote work provides students the opportunity to work for companies they may not have previously been able to consider because they can apply to companies without regard for location. When positions are no longer geo-specific, employers also have more opportunities to deepen their diversity and inclusion initiatives, which is a draw for many new grads. Employers who are hiring for remote positions may also be more likely to participate in hybrid and remote recruiting events, so check with your career center and the employer websites directly to sign up for virtual career fairs and info sessions.
Remote work often provides more flexibility than working in a traditional office setting. For example, it might be easier to attend that yoga class after work, or go for a run on your lunch break. You may also have more leeway in scheduling doctor appointments or arranging childcare. As a result, remote work may lead to better work-life balance.
Some new grads might prefer having more structure for their first job, or want to balance the structure of an office environment with the flexibility of a remote setting. If the idea of full-time remote work is too daunting, or if you would prefer to see your coworkers in-person regularly, some companies are also adopting a hybrid approach to work.
For example, Nokia recently announced an innovative plan where they’ll offer three days working from home and two days in the office, in addition to increased support for flexible working hours and fully virtual work. This type of workplace flexibility, as opposed to a strict remote or in-person policy, can be a great way for you to figure out which style of work you most prefer. As the next recruiting season quickly approaches, speak with recruiters about any work-from-home or return-to-office plans to learn which setup will best position you for success.