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I am one year out of college, been working as a software engineer at a non-tech company ever since. This article as me conflicted. I enjoy the benefits mentione

I am one year out of college, been working as a software engineer at a non-tech company ever since. This article as me conflicted. I enjoy the benefits mentioned in the article, so much so that I am considering moving to a bigger city that has more tech jobs (while keeping my current job). Although I was working in the office before, the transition to remote has presented me with the opportunity to move to where I want to be. However, this article makes clear the risks now include missing out on career opportunities, mentors, and skills that could stunt my career growth - if my job doesn’t get outsourced first. As someone who’s still starting off in their career, I’m afraid of making a misstep - but also believe this time is the time to take risks and see how they play out.

skewart 6y ago
Honestly I wouldn’t worry too much about it. This article vastly overstates the benefits of offices. Sitting in an office every day doesn’t magically make mentorship opportunities appear. You need to proactively seek those out no matter where you’re working - ask questions, ask for advice - and if someone is willing to talk in person they’re almost certainly willing to talk over video chat too.
- P_I_Staker 6y ago
  > and if someone is willing to talk in person they’re almost certainly willing to talk over video chat too. Strongly disagree. The culture is different. I didn't always love other people popping by, but they could just do it in a way that isn't really done with voice chat where I work. It was probably better for the team that they did. I definitely found myself doing this too. Unless you work somewhere with a policy to avoid stopping by someone's desk at all costs, unless you were sure the other person wanted it (in advance), it's not like voice calls at all. If I just call someone, I'm being pushy. I have to ask first, and even then I feel like I'm inconveniencing them. I'm certainly not going to just call people out of the blue, even ones I'm friendly with just to chit chat. In the office, we'd "run into each other", though.
  - skewart 6y ago
    Oh, I didn't mean just calling someone out of the blue. I meant that people would be willing to get on a video call if you set up a time to talk. I would typically message or email people first. Heck even if we're in the same office I'd often ping someone on text chat before walking over to their desk - it's just less rude and intrusive than forcing them to stop what they're working on and demanding to talk with them right then. A lot of teams I've worked on have communicated heavily by text chat even if we're all sitting just a few feet away from each other. Do you find people less willing to send a message on Slack or whatever chat app you're using than they are to physically stop by someone's desk?

skewart 6y ago

Honestly I wouldn’t worry too much about it. This article vastly overstates the benefits of offices. Sitting in an office every day doesn’t magically make mentorship opportunities appear. You need to proactively seek those out no matter where you’re working - ask questions, ask for advice - and if someone is willing to talk in person they’re almost certainly willing to talk over video chat too.

P_I_Staker 6y ago
> and if someone is willing to talk in person they’re almost certainly willing to talk over video chat too. Strongly disagree. The culture is different. I didn't always love other people popping by, but they could just do it in a way that isn't really done with voice chat where I work. It was probably better for the team that they did. I definitely found myself doing this too. Unless you work somewhere with a policy to avoid stopping by someone's desk at all costs, unless you were sure the other person wanted it (in advance), it's not like voice calls at all. If I just call someone, I'm being pushy. I have to ask first, and even then I feel like I'm inconveniencing them. I'm certainly not going to just call people out of the blue, even ones I'm friendly with just to chit chat. In the office, we'd "run into each other", though.
- skewart 6y ago
  Oh, I didn't mean just calling someone out of the blue. I meant that people would be willing to get on a video call if you set up a time to talk. I would typically message or email people first. Heck even if we're in the same office I'd often ping someone on text chat before walking over to their desk - it's just less rude and intrusive than forcing them to stop what they're working on and demanding to talk with them right then. A lot of teams I've worked on have communicated heavily by text chat even if we're all sitting just a few feet away from each other. Do you find people less willing to send a message on Slack or whatever chat app you're using than they are to physically stop by someone's desk?