Mastering Remote Work: Essential Tips for Success from Providence College Alumni
By Caitlin Ariel ’24
In an era where flexibility and adaptability have become paramount, remote work has emerged as a defining feature of modern professional life. Whether you’re a seasoned remote worker or just dipping your toes into this digital realm, navigating the nuances of remote work can be both liberating and challenging.
Despite being a relatively new feature of the corporate world, many Providence College alumni have seamlessly transitioned into remote work environments, leveraging their education, skills, and adaptability to thrive in this evolving landscape.
For example, Elie Delaney ’22 was a marketing major and a former manager of the Benjamin Family Social Media Fellowship. Currently, she is a senior associate at GroupeConnect in a hybrid work setting. She advised people working from home to “create a space that feels separate from your living space.”
“I have a desk in my apartment that I only use when working and for work materials,” she said. “ I don’t have makeup or let clothes pile on it.” Finally, she recommended that everyone “create a morning routine so it doesn’t feel like you are rolling out of bed and onto your desk,” she said. “ It will help with productivity throughout the day.”
Similarly, Jacob Scearbo ’17, shares insights into navigating the challenges of remote work. Scearbo is an account manager at Corporate Ink, a completely remote public relations firm. He shared three tips:
- Find balance – with the lines being blurred between your work and personal life, ensure you have a clear divide between them. If you feel like you are always on the clock, it can lead to burnout quickly. Once I leave my office and close the door, I leave work there 100 percent of the time.
- Over communicate – it can be easy to feel insulated from your teams in your home office. I always find it helps to over-communicate about projects, deadlines, etc. to ensure there is not miscommunication.
- Get outside, move, or work out every day — Sitting at a desk all day (and night) is so bad for you. Getting outside, working out or just going for a quick walk can have huge benefits to my workday.
The remote work lifestyle is also common in the finance industry. Lauren Liscinsky ’20 was a finance and management double major and now works remotely in New York City for Aristotle Capital Management, a company based in California. She recommends this advice for those working in remote settings:
- Time Blocking – routines are important and help provide a framework for your day.
- Get involved – small talk over zoom can be hard, but that small talk helps build relationships. Remote employees don’t have the advantage of running into someone when grabbing a coffee, so instead ask to get involved in projects that expose you to different departments. This will help build connections and possibly open doors for the future. Another way to connect with coworkers is by throwing 15 minutes on their calendar for a “Virtual Coffee Connect.”
.These are deliberate so go into them with a list of topics/questions you may have about their role and how you can collaborate with them. As a marketing associate, I work very closely with our sales team. Once a week I meet with someone different from sales for feedback on our materials so marketing has a better understanding of what works and what they would like to see. - Effective Communication – remember the 7 C’s: conciseness, clarity, courtesy, consideration, completeness, correctness, and concreteness. Effective communication increases productivity within the organization
;, but being remote means you rely heavily on verbal, visual, and written communication. In meetings, speak with confidence and avoid filler words while also being an active listener. Through email, keep it simple and don’t rely on tone. For both verbal and written communication, be clear and concise, which may mean adding visuals. That said, only add visuals if they add value and are easy to understand.
As the professional landscape continues to evolve, remote work has solidified its place as a vital aspect of contemporary employment. It offers both liberation and challenges, requiring individuals to adapt and develop strategies to thrive in this digital realm. Providence College alumni like Delaney, Scearbo, and Liscinsky exemplify the adaptability and resilience necessary for success in remote work environments. Their insights, ranging from establishing boundaries and routines to fostering effective communication and maintaining work-life balance, provide valuable guidance for navigating the nuances of remote work.
