When I first stepped onto campus as an undergraduate student, I was determined to make as many friends and connections as possible. I wanted to form lifelong memories, and ultimately, forge professional relationships that might help my career. You could find me at almost every seminar, interest meeting, or networking event on campus (and maybe even a party or two).

Outside of the classroom, I completed several in-person film and journalism internships alongside my typical responsibilities with the college newspaper, rugby club, and filmmakers club. Calling myself a social person would have been an understatement, and I expected to maintain that level of activity upon entering the workforce.

After graduation, my professional career did start off strong. I was offered a position with Forbes Advisor as an updates editor — though it came with an unexpected challenge: fully remote, online work.

Like me, around 15% of Gen Zs around the world currently work in fully remote positions. For many more recent grads, this set up may initially seem like an attractive option. It offers geographic flexibility, access to a global job market, and in some cases, improved well-being and work-life balance. While these benefits have certainly reigned true, in my experience, there are also unique challenges that come with starting your career remotely.

If you’re a recent grad who is considering this kind of work, you should know what obstacles might come your way — as well as how to overcome them. Here are the challenges I’ve personally faced and the tactics that have helped me thrive in a remote environment.

Challenge #1: Isolation

The most prominent challenge I faced when beginning my career remotely was intense isolation and loneliness during the workday. Video meetings and Slack messages quickly became the norm for interacting with my colleagues. While digital communication did offer some unique benefits — like chatting with people around the world — I missed the intimacy of in-person interactions. Most of my days were spent holed up in my room, staring at a screen for eight hours. I could almost feel my social skills declining, and my mental health took a hit as a result.

Loneliness is not an uncommon feeling for people in my position. Fifty-three percent of remote workers find it difficult to connect with other employees, according to a 2023 Pew Research survey. To manage the loneliness, I knew I had to make a change. That’s when I intentionally began to establish a healthier work-life balance.

 

How I Overcame It

1) Working from a new place.

I began commuting to a coworking space at least once a week to mix up my work environment and engage with new people face-to-face. Many coworking spaces have open desks with free-for-all seating, conference rooms, lounge areas, and other commodities (like free coffee) that make the experience comfortable. Anyone — remote, hybrid, and even in-person employees — can visit these spaces, which leaves room to socialize.

Watercooler conversations and group lunches used to be a thing of the past. But in a coworking space, surrounded by other people, my workday returned to what I was accustomed to. I formed new connections and my productivity increased. Most importantly, the simple act of getting dressed, leaving my home, and heading to a different location boosted my confidence and made me feel like a part of the workforce.

There are multiple coworking spaces in almost every major city in the country. In fact, coworking space inventory is expected to hit 41,975 worldwide by the end of this year. All this to say, there are plenty of options available. Some spaces allow you to pay daily to access the facility, or you may have to pay a monthly fee (usually between $90 to $250) for a standard subscription.

If a coworking space is out of your price range, a coffee shop is often the next best option.

Read more here.