Is being remote or almost fully remote detrimental to growing your career/making connections?
I'm in my 40's and am currently hybrid, but mostly WFH. It's so convenient and been a game changer as a parent. I have some young adults in my life, one is in their early 20's starting in a corporate role that will go to mostly remote full time with only one in office day after probation. Naturally they can't wait to be remote. It got me thinking whether this is an entirely good thing. When I was in the office full-time - I made many connections with people, often connecting and making friends with colleagues who worked in the same company, but not in my team. It was because I sat near them or bumped into them around the office over many months (even years) that I built those connections - often leading to having lunch together, gatherings outside of work, friendship. I would not have those same opportunities being in a remote/mostly remote role. I also found career opportunities through those connections, again built over time from being in the same office space day in and day out. I am quite introverted and the younger me would have loved remote work, but being in the office forced me to interact with different personalities and people from all walks of life at work. It got my out of my own bubble. I worry for those starting their corporate career whether remote work is isolating them from connection and growing their career. I've been at my workplace for awhile, so have built connections with colleagues prior to hybrid working, but even I can feel disconnected at times.