If you’re a recent grad stepping into your first full-time role, chances are you’re wondering what work is actually like. It can be confusing, especially if you’re signing on from your kitchen table one day, and walking into a shared office space the next. 

Whether you’re starting out remote, in-office, or in a hybrid work environment, these seasoned PR pros are here to help. 

From navigating Slack culture, to better understanding in-office etiquette or prioritizing work-life balance, these reflections offer honest, actionable insights for staying visible, productive, and professional in today’s modern work environment:

Office Etiquette Decoded: Tips To Thrive In-Person

• “Over-sharing has become an epidemic. I can’t say it enough, but learn from senior leaders early: observe how experienced staff talks to clients and each other. Other tips for in-office life? Bring your lunch more often. It seems so simple but it really helps you save money – I wish I knew that earlier on. Additionally, Slack doesn’t replace the “pop in.” Instant communication and huddling with your teammates can’t be done remotely. It just can’t. Nothing replaces desk-to-desk chitchat.” – John Guilfoil, Principal Owner, John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC

The Commuter Chronicles: Morning Commute Hacks

• “I’m a bookworm, so my commuter rail journey to and from the office is a great time for me to read!” – Emma Neal, VP Earned Media, Allison Worldwide 

• “Wake up early! Leave the house early! Avoid traffic. Traffic now is worse than before COVID.” – John Guilfoil, Principal Owner, John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC

Out of Sight is Out of Mind: How to Stay Visible Remotely

• “It’s so important for remote workers to check in frequently with their bosses, co-workers and direct reports. Remember to put your camera on during Zoom and Teams calls. There are exceptions of course, but your reputation will rise if you are visible: tuned in, respectful and focused.” – Michael Dowding, Owner/Principal, Wordscape Communications, Inc. 

• “Make sure you block off times on your calendar that you’re not planning on being at your computer or available via slack or chat channels. Sometimes, we take non-zoom calls, and hop on via cell phone and when we’re not available in front of our computer; it appears we’re not working. New grads need to control their calendars in a remote environment, sounds like ‘stating the obvious’ but students are hardly required to have their managers or professors in their calendars, but in the workplace, it’s expected.” – Kristina Markos, Associate Professor and Graduate Chair in Communication, Lasell University 

“Always On” Is a Trap: Establish Work-Life Balance

• “I started freelance writing in the mid-90s, when it was fairly exotic to work from home. People used to say to me, “Oh, it must be so hard to be disciplined to get your work done.” But I had the opposite problem. Because it was my sole income, I found it hard to walk away from my work at the end of the day. The less structured nature of work from home culture can be a trap especially for young and first-time workers. The lesson? (especially for freelancers): Set boundaries. But really stick to them. At the end of the day, remember that the door swings both ways. If you’re committed to working hours – be fully available and working. Work as tenaciously as if you were in an office alongside your co-workers. And of course, outside of work hours, don’t hesitate to put it aside.” – Michael Dowding, Owner/Principal, Wordscape Communications, Inc. 
• “Work is important, but so is your physical and mental health! If you’re an early riser like me, use time in the morning to kick start your brain such as reading a book or catching up on the news. If I have time during the day and am able to do so, I take team calls from my phone and use the time as a walking meeting to get my body moving and away from my desk. I’ve also set the goal for myself to turn off work notifications when I am completely done for the day. It’s healthy to shut off my brain and focus on catching up with loved ones, making plans, etc.” – Emma Neal, VP Earned Media, Allison Worldwide 
• “As a working parent/mother, remote and hybrid work flexibility acknowledges the realities that many of us face in ‘doing it all’ within today’s society. I personally feel a hybrid approach embraces the best of both worlds, providing employees a space to gather in person for creative brainstorming, collaboration, and cultivating company culture. It also enables individuals to balance their work/life in a way that allows them to succeed and show up as their best self personally and professionally.” -Angelica English, Managing Director, TEAM LEWIS
• “Instead of opening the laptop the moment you open your eyes or closing it only when you’re headed to bed, make sure you have personal plans before and after the workday. Waking up an hour early and hitting the gym or yoga studio before you log on, or making plans for a 6 PM dinner, can ensure you’re staying within working hours, keeping the lines sharp on fixed working hours. Remember, you’re human. Creating these boundaries takes time, so if you’re finding yourself logging on late or waking up early to kick off the day, notice these patterns without getting down on yourself and find what tips work best for you that allow you to work to live, not live to work!” – Olivia Mannion, Account Supervisor, PAN

Don’t Just Connect, Engage: Foster Communication & Trust

• “In addition to team meetings and using Teams to share earned media updates across Allison, I schedule 1:1 meetings with my teammates. It allows for dedicated time to catch up – whether that’s working through challenges, celebrating wins, and/or chatting about what’s going on in each other’s lives outside of the “office.” – Emma Neal, VP Earned Media, Allison Worldwide 
• “Whether remote, hybrid, or in-office, clarity and intentional communication make all the difference. Set expectations early, especially around how and when to connect. For hybrid and remote teams, create rituals that include everyone, no matter where they’re working. A shared sense of rhythm builds trust.” – Paulino Cardoso, Principle & Founder, Barcelos Communication 

WFH, Not In A Bubble: The Case for IRL Moments

• “If you’re fully remote, make sure you’re still networking outside your home. Look for industry events (the PR Club is a great place to start!), attend a conference, or even just work from a coffee shop once in a while. Talking to other people who do what you do—in person—can help you stay on top of trends and give you more confidence in your work.” Lana Tkachenko, Senior Marketing Director, Force of Nature Clean
• “I absolutely love working remotely, but I’m always so energized when I’m able to connect with co-workers, clients, and reporters in person. I’m an introverted extrovert through and through. While there are perks to the focus and structure that working from home provides, like the ability to create a routine that works for me, there’s something invaluable about in-person connection. Brainstorms, casual conversations, getting to know someone on a personal level – all of these moments bring clarity, inspire creativity, and foster a deeper sense of collaboration that’s really hard to replicate virtually.” – Abbey Clark, Account Director, Health+Commerce

Curate a Workspace That Sparks Creativity: Set Yourself Up For Success

• “Keep your workspace tidy and invest in an ergonomic chair (mine even has a footrest). Overall, it’s important to make your remote set-up an inviting, aesthetically pleasing space in your home that you want to go to every day. This will pay off in dividends when it comes to your productivity and quality of work.” – Abbey Clark, Account Director, Health+Commerce
• “I’ve been working remotely full-time since March 2021 and love it, but it takes some intention to make it work. One of the best things I did early on was set up a space at home that felt like my “work zone.” As an apartment dweller, I didn’t have a separate office, so I carved out a spot where I could keep a monitor, some notebooks, and everything I needed nearby. Having that dedicated area helps me stay organized and makes it easier to mentally switch into work mode (and just as importantly, out of it at the end of the day). Working from the couch sounds nice in theory, but it gets old fast.” – Lana Tkachenko, Senior Marketing Director, Force of Nature Clean
• “Even if you have to carve out a Harry Potter room under the stairs, make your workplace private and separate. Don’t work in your bedroom or living room!” – John Guilfoil, Principal Owner, John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC
• “As often as possible, keep work in a specific place. Having a designated workspace in your home can make it easier to keep your job physically and mentally in this space. Being able to close the laptop and walk out of the ‘office’ at 5:30 PM, leaving your work behind for the night, can support boundaries of not watching nightly Netflix or cooking dinner with tomorrow’s work open on the screen next to you.” – Olivia Mannion, Account Supervisor, PAN

This blog was curated by Abbey Clark, PR Club Board Member and Content Lead