WORKING REMOTELY: TIPS FROM THE REGIS IA TEAM!


As the world continues to deal with the effects COVID-19, many people who usually rely on face-to-face meetings and contact have been quickly thrust into a remote work-from-home situation, including teams at Regis! If you’re in the same boat, here are a few tips and resources our team has developed that we hope help you.

  1. Create a functional workspace. Do you have space at home to set up your desk, computer, printer and other technology? Does the lighting work for you?
  2. Set up a work schedule. What time will you start? Have you built in breaks to stand up and stretch? To connect with other people? Know when to log off. Keep work time separate from personal time.
  3. Dress and groom professionally.
  4. Be sure to maintain self-care. Keep an exercise and/or meditation schedule. Read a book. Watch a movie. It’s all part of the whole.
  5. Create shared drives to share work with colleagues to make work more efficient.
  6. Communicate frequently with your coworkers and manager. Clarify expectations and results.
  7. Make time every day to check in with coworkers—the virtual water cooler chat. Create an online working group and have lunch together.

Now that social distancing is the new normal and many people are working at home, there are ways to take advantage of the time. Remember, you no longer have to commute to work: that’s a plus.

  1. Take care of yourself. Don’t neglect your physical and emotional well-being. There are many programs available online for yoga, meditation, and other forms of exercise. Take a brisk walk (but be sure to social distance). Or check out Regis FIT, the Regis Instagram account created by the Regis Athletics department.
  2. Learn a new skill. Now is the time to learn that skill you never really had time for, be it coding, graphic design, or cooking. Lynda.com is now part of LinkedIn Learning and the first month is free. Microsoft also offers free online training for each of their applications: https://support.office.com/.
  3. Revisit that long forgotten project. Identify some projects you have been meaning to complete. Do you have a closet that needs cleaning? Pictures to be organized? Converting home movies to a digital format? Completing one or two of those projects can give you a sense of moving forward.
  4. Promote your work online. Does your personal website need updating? Can you create a personal website to showcase your work? Will it include writing samples and other projects?
  5. Think about your career plans. Use some of the new-found home time to learn more about a different career. For younger people, a great place to start is this website about what to do with your major. For all job seekers, the Occupational Outlook Handbook provides descriptions of virtually any career you can think of as well as requirements, typical responsibilities and pay. Regis alumni can also set up a one-on-one career counseling meeting with Susan Kennedy, Director of Internships and Career Development at Regis: susan.kennedy@regiscollege.edu.
  6. Conduct informational interviews and networking meetings. Many people who are working from home are also finding extra time and may be more willing to connect. There are several Regis College groups on LinkedIn that you can use.
  7. Do the fun stuff. Do you like to paint? Read? Watch movies? Now is the time.
  8. Practice Physical Distancing (rather than Social Distancing). Meet friends for a walk or hike. Be sure to stay at least 6 feet apart from one another. Video calls and text messages are a great way to stay in touch.