Working remotely and online learning
Working remotely
The number of people working partially or fully remote has been on the rise for years now, but the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly risen this trend.
People value freedom of choice, and will be happy if they can decide whether to work from office or to work from home.
It’s easier than ever to stay connected in our era of email and smart phones and many employees believe it increases their quality of life, but as with everything there are pros and cons of such decision.
Software development and remote work
Nothing can stop a programmer!
If you’re considering a career, but with the latest events in the world feel uncertain because a lot of people lost their jobs due to global pandemic, know that if you are a software engineer, you can still work and make money, unlike many other professions that require physical presence at work.
Advantages of working remotely
Work from anywhere. No longer are you limited by a geographic location. Thanks to telecommuting, employees are now able to work from pretty much anywhere.
No daily commute. Most people don’t enjoy their daily trek into an office. Working remote allows you to avoid a lengthy commute by car, or bus which enables you to start your workday earlier and calmer.
Flexibility. You would be in charge of your own schedule and possibly more efficient. Working from home and the flexibility it offers, may also suit your family life as long as you get the job done and meet any pre-established deadlines.
Advantages of working remotely
Less costly. Working from a remote location or from home, means you save money on transportation costs, eating lunch out, and purchasing a business wardrobe. Unless you do video conferencing, you can wear informal clothes and no longer need to budget for that work wardrobe.
Better health. Remote workers say they have more time to incorporate physical exercise into their day. In addition, they are not exposed to sick co-workers. On the flip side, if you’re the sick person, staying home allows you to take care of yourself while still being productive.
Less interruptions. Working remotely allows you to focus on the job at hand without the distractions of socializing and office chatter. You have the ability to get into the zone and buckle down to complete your assignment.
Disadvantages of working remotely
Need for high self-discipline. It takes a lot of dedication and self-control to work at home and not succumb to distractions. It’s easy to lose motivation and focus which are pitfalls to your success. Therefore, it’s important to be intentional about how you’re using your time. You need to structure your environment in such a way that keeps you engaged.
Lack of workplace social life. You can easily interact with co-workers and clients via technology but it’s not the same as face-to-face meetings, lunching together or just everyday banter. Remote workers often feel isolated. To counteract isolation, try going into the office now and then or schedule lunch dates with bosses and colleagues.
Disadvantages of working remotely
Total dependency on technology. As a remote worker, you have to rely on email, smart phones, laptop, etc. to stay in contact with the office and clients. You are totally dependent on the right technology to be in business. It’s also up to you to keep up with technology that evolves so rapidly.
Blurred lines. You would think that working remote would allow you to enjoy more of a work/life balance but actually it doesn’t. When you don’t have a clear separation of workplace and home space, they can blend together. You might not be able to just switch-off from work and find yourself constantly checking your smart phone and emails.
Disadvantages of working remotely
Lack of informal and organic learning. Remote work prevents some of the organic learning from your coworkers, colleagues and managers. If you are early in your career, you can learn a lot just by being around your successful and more experienced coworkers.
Working remotely summary
Working remotely and online learning
While working remotely and managing the time in a different way, especially
during COVID-19 pandemic, online learning comes as a great opportunity for self improvement.
Online courses and degree programs are more convenient and cheaper than their counterparts in traditional education. Those are the two main advantages of online learning that lead many students to opt for online platforms when they want to earn a degree or certificate.
The best thing about online learning is that you can learn in a relaxed manner even if you don’t want to get certified. You only need passion for learning and a quick online search that will take you to the right course. From that point on, you will be the master of your own education.
Benefits of online learning
You can learn whatever you want!
You can pick the program of your dreams in traditional education, too, but that would involve traveling away from home, living in a completely unknown city, and struggling in an extremely competitive learning environment. With online education, you can take any program or course present in traditional four-year universities.
Benefits of online learning
Comfort - Forget about attending classes for hours, sitting in an uncomfortable chair, and suffering from back pain by the end of the day. You will not be bound to physical class session when you opt for online education. All lectures and needed materials are provided via online platforms, so you’ll easily access them from the comfort of your home. You will not take public transport to get to campus, you won’t have to spend money on gas for your car, you won’t have to get up early to get dressed for class… the list of conveniences goes on and on.
Self-paced learning - Self-paced learning means that the students can start completing the targets at any time, and he can arrange a learning schedule that meets his individual needs. This type of system does not require attending live sessions; you can access the materials at any time that works for you.
Tips for online learning
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