Surviving and Thriving as a Beginner in Remote Work: Common Challenges
When I started working back in 2008, I found myself in a team of engineers. I was fresh out of school with a solid foundation in theory, but quickly realized that real-world application was a whole different ballgame. Thankfully, I had the help of my experienced team members who took the time to teach and guide me along the way. They patiently explained the why and how of different tasks, and with their support, I progressed to become a fine developer. In just six months, I was soliciting their help less and less, and by the end of the year, I had become fully autonomous. But as I watch my friend struggle in a remote work environment, I'm reminded of just how important that initial support and guidance was for my own success. In this article, I'll explore the challenges faced by beginners in a remote work setting and offer strategies for overcoming them.
Lately, I've been coaching a beginner friend, and it has become clear to me just how remote work is creating new challenges for beginners. The first challenge is that a beginner who starts as a remote worker is cut off from the company, its values, and its culture. We know that a company's culture, values, and vision create more engaged employees, so when a beginner is excluded from that culture, they may struggle to feel connected to the work they're doing.
Secondly, the beginner is isolated from their team, which means they lack the human connections necessary for seniors to feel bound to help and support them. Without the in-person interaction that comes with an office environment, team members may not feel as much of an obligation to lend a helping hand, which can leave beginners feeling stranded and alone.
Thirdly, even if the company makes it mandatory for seniors to help beginners, seniors may feel obligated to do the bare minimum to fulfill their duties. This is especially true if the senior has their own workload to manage, and they feel they don't have the time or resources to devote to helping a beginner. Unfortunately, this lack of support can create a lot of stress for the beginner, making it difficult to complete tasks and leading to feelings of incompetence and low self-confidence. In my friend's case, this lack of support ultimately led to him being fired, despite his best efforts to learn and grow on the job.
Furthermore, communication plays the biggest part in our learning process, and remote work can severely hinder that communication. When beginners are left to struggle alone without the guidance and support of their team members, they may find themselves unable to understand the why and how of the task at hand. This can lead to poor productivity and low-quality products.
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Additionally, this problem is not just limited to remote work settings, but also stems from companies prioritizing product delivery over the development process itself. This is especially true for startups, which often operate on a fast-paced timeline and can neglect to create a strong company culture to engage their employees. I remember a previous experience working for an international corporation where we underwent three months of training specifically focused on the company's culture, values, and vision. This made me feel like a valued member of a global family of employees, and I believe that companies can learn from this approach by prioritizing employee engagement and development as much as they do product delivery.
Another factor that contributes to the challenges faced by beginners is the prevalence of online courses that do not require practical training in a company setting. Unlike public and private onsite universities, which often mandate internships ranging from one to six months, online courses can leave students unprepared for the workplace and the challenges they may face. Practical training not only gives students an idea of what to expect in a professional setting, but also provides valuable hands-on experience that can help build confidence and knowledge. Without this type of training, beginners can struggle to keep up with the pace of the job and may find themselves unprepared for the realities of the workplace.
In conclusion, the challenges that beginners face in remote work can lead to a negative impact on their mental health. The lack of communication, support and guidance from senior team members can create feelings of isolation and stress. To address these challenges, companies need to prioritize creating a culture of engagement, promoting communication, and providing the necessary support for their employees, especially beginners. It is also important to recognize the value of hands-on experience in a real work environment, and to provide opportunities for beginners to gain this experience. By addressing these challenges, we can ensure that beginners have the necessary tools to succeed in their careers and maintain positive mental health.
