Will Current Students Kickstart Their Careers from Their Living Room?
Since the pandemic in 2020, work patterns have undergone a major transformation. Before lockdown, only 4.9% of employees worked from home, but this number surged for obvious reasons when we couldn’t leave the house. Businesses have since embraced the positive effects on flexibility, productivity, and employee satisfaction, with levels of hybrid working remaining high ever since. This means the current cohort of university students is preparing for a different world of work than ever before. What does this mean for them, and how can they prepare?
Since Covid-19, remote work has remained steady, with 63% of employees working from home at least part-time in 2025, according to Forbes Advisor UK. Companies such as Lloyds Banking Group and PwC have attempted to increase office attendance by measuring it as a performance metric and basing bonus-based incentives upon it. However, studies show that enforcing strict return-to-office policies can lead to increased employee attrition, as seen with Apple, Microsoft, and SpaceX. For example, a 2023 report by David Van Dijcke showed that the stricter the return-to-office policies, the higher the likelihood of employees leaving their jobs. This aligns with findings that 46% of employees with the ability to work remotely would quit if forced back into the office full-time. This growing preference for flexibility suggests that the future workplace for students will likely be hybrid, if not fully remote.
This work dynamic has its benefits for corporations. For example, a Stanford study found that remote workers are 13% more productive than their colleagues in the office. Furthermore, remote work allows companies to select employees from a global talent pool, meaning they have an increased selection of experience. Companies also benefit from reduced operational costs with fewer staff in the office. Employees, on the other hand, enjoy improved work-life balance, reduced commuting time, and greater flexibility in their schedules. However, not all companies are embracing the work-from-home phenomenon. JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, and Amazon have required employees to return to the office five days a week, though strict enforcement has not always been consistent. Despite some businesses continuing to push for office attendance, the overall trend points toward hybrid models becoming the dominant work arrangement.
Because of this, it is likely the next generation of workers will be entering a hybrid market. As companies have an increased selection due to the global talent pool, it is important for today’s students to take adequate steps to prepare and stand out to these organisations.
Steps to prepare include mastering cloud-based applications, as remote work relies heavily on online tools like Slack, Zoom, Google Workspace, and project management platforms like Asana and Trello. Familiarity with these tools will be an asset. It is also vital to develop strong communication skills, as virtual collaboration requires extra precaution to ensure ideas are presented correctly and to avoid mistakes. Writing effective emails, participating in virtual meetings, and being proactive in online discussions will set candidates apart. Additionally, having a strong online presence, with a standout LinkedIn profile, personal website, or digital portfolio, can make a huge difference.
Comentarios