Seven Pitfalls of Working from Home and How to Avoid Them

Wednesday, April 1 at 1 p.m.

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As a classes and co-op begin, the world of work looks different. You may be taking classes from home, waiting for your employer to re-open their doors, or experiencing what’s it like to work from home for the first time. Penny Zenker ’92, productivity expert and strategic business coach, has generously offered to share tips to help you have more control in your work from home routine and reduce stress to  stay on track.

We hope you’ll join the Steinbright Career Development Center and Drexel Alumni Relations in welcoming Zenker.  You’ll leave a better prepared, proactive, and positive employee and student.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Penny Zenker is an international speaker, business strategy coach and best-selling author. Before her 31st birthday, Penny founded, developed and sold her first multi-million dollar business while living in Zurich, Switzerland. Later at the world’s fourth-largest market research company, she managed business unit turnarounds and was a Tony Robbins business coach helping entrepreneurs around the world to double their businesses.

Zenker is one of America’s leading experts in the psychology of productivity to eliminate distraction, perfectionism and self-sabotage to maximize results in every area of your life. Her book, “The Productivity Zone,” was an instant Amazon Best Seller and her TEDx, The Energy of Thought, has gained attention around the world. Her engaging, inspiring interactive talks and workshops teach people to think and act more strategically. Zenker has been featured on NBC News, Forbes, Inc, ESPN and Wharton Business Radio among others.

How can you stay focused on the job and mentally healthy while working remotely? Here are five tips to keep you working your best.

1. Build your Space

Find an area in your home that specifically is for getting work done – that means avoiding your bed!

Trying to find a comfortable space to establish a work-life balance is so important. Be sure that your workspace is free of any distractions and has enough room for any items that you need for your daily workflow.

Associate this space as work and leave when you’re off the clock.

2. Be efficient with your time

There are going to be days where you just want to lie in bed and watch Netflix, but using time management apps is a great way to work efficiently while giving you a nice break in-between.

Free productivity apps that can track the time you spend on each task, minimize distractions, and are aesthetically pleasing are Flora, Tomato Timer, and Flipd.

3. Know your communication style

Everyone works and communicates differently – if you question whether your colleague will want to know something, share it!

Whether it’s through email, video conference calls, or phone calls, it’s best to try to replicate the in-person experience and provide clear communication.

Establish when others can reach you on specific days and hours. The more guidance and boundaries you provide the fewer misunderstandings will occur.

4. Prevent internet lag awkwardness

Avoid the dreaded internet lag during videoconferencing calls by checking if your internet access is robust.

If your bandwidth is low and you’re on a video call, try shutting down other programs to lighten the load on your connection!

However, if there are other internet users in your home, set internet schedules or stagger internet access throughout the day.

5. Stay connected

A undeniable loss to working at home is that it can feel lonely. Whether it’s casually talking to your co-workers, family, or friends be sure to make time to socialize.

To overcome any shyness, try my favorite icebreaker: If you could describe yourself as any type of cheese which type would it be?

Please visit the COVID-19 Pandemic Assistance Resources page for an updated list of resources including, but not limited to: discounts, deals, and assistance funds pertaining to food, internet/ data access, and educational resources.

This page also contains relevant University resources and services, including: Health & Wellness, Academic, Personal Support and Drexel Central.

For further support and resources, please contact Phi Nguyen or Michelle McDermott

For 10 years, Philadelphia-based universities have partnered to create a career fair aimed at connecting students with mission-driven organizations. In 2019, more than 30 organizations, 19 universities and hundreds of students connected online for a virtual fair that spanned four sectors and dozens of nonprofit organizations.

This year, the Social Impact Consortium of Universities is hosting the virtual career fair during the week of Monday, March 30 – Friday, April 3, 2020. This online career fair will connect you directly with organizations from the comfort of your home, office, smartphone or tablet. Our online, cloud-based platform makes it easy and fun for you to participate. After signing in, you’ll be able to explore the available information and opportunities, and participate in 1-on-1 text-based chats to identify top talent for your organization. Registration is officially open.

Learn more about upcoming virtual career fairs:

• Education on Monday, March 30, 2020 from 12:00PM-2:00PM
• Health & Human Services on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 from 12:00PM-2:00PM
• Government/Military/NGOs on Thursday, April 2, 2020 from 12:00PM-2:00PM
• Activism/Volunteering/Foundations/Other on Friday, April 3, 2020 from 12:00PM-2:00PM

As schools, restaurants, and businesses close to prevent the spread of coronavirus, several companies are offering discounts and deals to alleviate the closures’ financial, emotional, and technological costs on consumers, institutions, and other businesses. See below for a list of the companies and highlighted resources for students. Please be sure to read the policies of each deal described in full detail:

Philadelphia Citywide Alerts

Sign up for Philadelphia’s Citywide and Neighborhood alerts related to COVID-19 by texting “COVIDPHL” to 888-777.

Internet and Data

• Comcast: Unlimited data for 60 days with no additional charges
• Xfinity WiFi: Free network for 60-days nationally, waiving late fees, and helping low-income families get connected
• AT&T and Charter Communications: Free public Wi-Fi for 60 days, broadband for households with students through college age who don’t already have a subscription and removing all usage caps on all accounts
• Internet Essentials: Internet program for low-income families free for first 2 months and costs $9.95 per month after
• T-Mobile: unlimited smartphone data to all current subscribers and increase the data allowance to schools and students using their digital learning programs
• Verizon: Temporarily hold off on any late fees and disconnections and will not terminate service due to economic circumstances to pay bills for 60 days 
• Sprint: Expanding free roaming access on T-Mobile for 60 days and unlimited data for 60 days

Education

• Educational Platforms Offering Free Subscriptions

Moving

• U-Haul offers 30-day storage free for students who must suddenly move out 
• College Boxes: Kit of 5 standard boxes shipping to students for free 

Additional Resources

• Forbes
• Barron’s
• NBC