Hi, my name is Becca, I am currently a student living in the United States, and I have spent the last two months working for 18-07 Careers in a remote capacity as an HR Intern. Sitting on the computer through classes on top of working a four-hour internship each day can be stressful and I will not lie to you Zoom fatigue is a real thing. So, here are three things that I wanted to share with you about my experience working for a London-based company as a student in the United States.
- Get off the Computer… when you can
Being on the computer in your house where you are stuck every day is not the best. So, one thing that I have found to be super helpful is to take my work outside. Working on some projects I am able to ditch the computer and work on pencil and paper on my own. This has been a lifesaver taking even a half-hour off of the computer has brought a little bit of joy to my day.
- Keeping on top of your schedule
Living in the US and working for a company in London was a bit more difficult than I would have thought. Did you know that Daylight savings time begins in two different weeks for England and the US? Keeping track of the time difference is one of the most important things I have learned in this time. It can be difficult to remember meeting times being removed from the office. Especially as we move more towards remote working and more and more companies offer remote positions. If you are in a different time zone, especially a different country, keeping track of meeting times is vital. Google Calendar has been my best friend in this time. This is the most helpful way I have been able to connect with the team at 18-07 and keep all my meeting times straight.
- Creating my own space
If you’re like me before COVID you probably had a room in your house or apartment that was a little cluttered. Once COVID hit I decided to clear out that room and turn it into a little office for myself. Separating myself from my room or the living room was of great help to my focus. I found that I did not get as easily distracted and felt some sort of similarity to being in an actual office.
Now, these are things that I have learned over my time interning over the pandemic. I know that not everyone’s experiences are or will be the same. We are going to get through this pandemic and come out the other side stronger than ever.