Page 9 - Buzz Magazine - Issue No 2 Winter 2021 | University of Rochester
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TO THE





 RETURN WORKPLACE



















                TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

                When people come to me anxious about going back to
                the workplace, I tell them three things. First, use your
                networks and leverage your relationships. Everyone
                feels more comfortable when they are surrounded by
                what they know, so surround yourself with what’s familiar.

                                                                     SEAN ALLEN ’11S (MS)
                Next, get reacquainted with your work environment,         Founder,
                which may have changed since you were there last.      the Real Goal Setter
                If you were hired during the pandemic, do a drive-by
                or ask your company if you can go in before you are   “  Most people feel
                actually required to do so. Remember that familiarity   more comfortable
                breeds comfort, so do what you can to make that      when they are
                happen. We’ve also spent a lot of time on screens
                during the pandemic. When we get back into the       surrounded by
                office, be sure to make eye contact, listen, and use   what they know,
                body language in ways that let people know you are
                interested in what they have to say.                 yourself with
                                                                     what’s familiar.
                Lastly, I tell people to cherish the technology that
                has come into our lives during COVID, for example,
                                                                     so surround  “
                Microsoft Teams, Skype, and Zoom. Two years ago, we   Sean Allen ’11S (MS) is a
                weren’t on video calls multiple times a day, but now we   Los Angeles-based engineer
                                                                    and the founder of The Real Goal
                are. This has given all of us a new skill set, which makes   Setter, where he offers his skills
                                                                    as a certified career coach, resume
                us more versatile and marketable. This is something   writer, fitness coach, and real
                good that has come out of the pandemic.             estate agent. He is also a mentor
                                                                    within The Meliora Collective and
                                                                    a mentoring and career networking
                Throughout it all, take care of yourself. Get your steps   committee co-chair for the
                                                                    Black Alumni Network.
                in, take walks with your coworkers at lunch, and
                strengthen bonds with each other. Know that we can
 Getty Images photo  always help one other.




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