Set-Up & Work From Home!

As more companies declare their intentions on coming back to the office or staying remote (or a hybrid option), many interns and newly-graduates will have the option, or will be required to, work from home. To successfully work from home, you need to set up, which this blog will teach you how to do in just a few steps.

1. Don’t do anything until you hear, for sure, what’s happening at your place of employment.
   1. Are employees going to be going back full-time? Will there be a hybrid set-up of 2-3 days in the office and the rest at home? Until you know what the plan is or whether you even need to worry about working from home, hold off on setting up your space.
   2. For example, if you’re going to need to prepare for a hybrid-type situation, your WFH set-up might need to include a way to transport documents physically. If you’re going to work from home full-time, there’s a possibility of needing a printer, scanner, fax machine, etc. Just hold off on getting items until you know whether you actually need them (or whether your company will pay for them!).
2. Wait for your internship or job materials to arrive. Will you be getting a company-owned laptop, phone, monitor, etc.? It’s a good idea to wait for those items to arrive so that you can see what kind of set up you need. 
   1. Last summer, I tucked away a tiny desk in the corner of my bedroom thinking that it would be more than enough space for my work laptop and a notebook, but I actually received a laptop, a monitor, and a wifi hotspot, which required more space.
3. Think about what people will be able to see.
   1. It’s a good idea to consider your background as you set up for WFH. Since you will likely be using video chats, make sure that your background is professional. Yes, virtual backgrounds are an option, but sometimes mishaps can occur.
   2. A blank wall is perfect for a background and it does not need to fancy. Try to orient your desk, table, or workspace to make it work for you.
4. Minimize distractions.
   1. Make sure that whatever area you set up with will let you work efficiently. Somewhere with minimal background noise would be most advantageous, but because many students are currently living with family, it can be enough to tell people who you are living with about the times that you will be working and busy.
   2. Whatever way you make sure that you have less distractions, and you can get creative, is perfect for working from home.
5. Get a pair of blue-light blocking glasses.
   1. Hear me out! You don’t have to wear these while you’re on the video calls if you don’t want to, but staring at a screen for 40 hours a week is also not fun for the eyes. Check this article out for some top picks of glasses that will not break the bank but will make WFH more sustainable for you in the long-run.
6. Keep up your morale with fun decorations, snacks, music (if that helps you work), etc.
   1. A beautiful part of working from home is being able to decorate your workspace in a way that keeps you happy and motivated. Working from home can mean having your favorite plant on the desk or the floor next to you, keeping your best snacks nearby, playing some music if you’re working on an individual project, and more! Taking advantage of this crucial part of WFH can help your space come alive and can help your day at work, from home go by quicker.