The inside scoop on #WFH from an ex essential worker

Honestly, it still feels unreal that I graduated college “virtually” due to being in the graduating class of the onset of COVID-19. I worked all throughout college but 2020 was the first semester where I experienced remote work. When I found out at Spring break in-person college was no longer a thing, I also found out my jobs were going to be remote as well. At the time I was juggling multiple positions:

• Amazon Prime Campus Manager Media

• Marketing Intern at Thread Marketing Group

• Marketing Intern at Falcon Media, BGSU student newspaper

• President of the American Marketing Association

Once I graduated, I moved from Bowling Green Ohio, to Columbus, Ohio to start my first job out of college, as a Sales Management Associate at PepsiCo. It was a crazy time because many of my friends were furloughed or but the majority of them had uprooted their life just to find out they were remote indefinitely. While I am happy, I wasn’t furloughed, I definitely wished I was remote.

Meanwhile, I was an essential worker, the whole pandemic risking my physical health being on the front line. I’ll be honest I was, jealous of remote workers and mad at myself for not picking an industry or line of work that was conducive to remote work. I viewed remote work as such a luxury and my blood boiled when remote workers would complain about “missing the office”. What was there to miss?

Fast-forward to November 2021 where I finally became a remote worker. I am blessed to finally be on the other side of the fence. The grass is in fact greener on the other side. Here is a list of 10 the things I love about working from home:

1. No commute.

2. I have a personal assistant (Bruno, the Wheaten Terrier) who helps me all day.

3. It is more comfortable.

4. It is quiet.

5. Lunch and snacks are available 24/7.

6. On the days you’re feeling under the weather it is a lot more comfortable.

7. It is less distracting.

8. I like having the ability to work from anywhere.

9. I am saving money (Gas, car maintenance, food, coffee, etc.)

10. It is more sanitary. I like using my own stuff and being sure I have a clean space.

The one downside of working from home is since you don’t have the office to collaborate it can make for a ton of meetings. However, before scheduling or accepting a meeting make sure there is a clear agenda for the meeting. If there is not, cancel. If there is, ask yourself if this is something that could be shared in another medium: slack or your IM software, email, or phone.

Overall, I believe that the perfect medium is giving employees a flexible work schedule and not mandate that they return to office.

What do you enjoy about working from home? Comment below.

If you enjoyed reading this article, read "Simon Sinek Helped Me Find My Why, Let Me Help You Find Yours”

Stay Creative,

Lauren