My first paid software engineering job was an internship with Concrete Software. I worked at their office in Eden Prairie, and at the end of the summer they asked if I would like to continue working remotely during the school year. For ten hours a week I would work on odd projects for them, and the majority of this I did from the comfort of my apartment while my roomates were in class.

my desk on Boulder Drive My desk, my senior year at UMD. Complete with clutter!

It was amazing. There’s a certain bliss in starting my day on my own terms - waking up, showering, making the coffee, and getting to work. No noise, no people.

Maybe it’s because I worked for a famously frugal company, but I never felt like the offices I worked in were critical for the work I do. My favorite parts of the offices I worked at were the coffee machine and my desk (I am super big on this “personal space” thing in places where I regularly work, but some companies don’t agree.) At the end of the day… I sit in front of a computer, making things that run on computers, for use by people using computers. There’s just no reason for me to be sharing a bathroom with 100 other people.

dilbert may 24, 2012 True happenings in the office (Dilbert, May 24th, 2012)

Obviously, working from home became a necessity at the beginning of 2020, and it was fairly difficult to adjust to. Once I got in rhythm of it though, I found it to be one of the great joys of my life. My schedule is once again returned to what it once was: I can wake up at a regular time, get a coffee, go for a walk, make breakfast… and get to work! As much as I love living in New York City, I did not always love the crowded subway ride into midtown. Actually, working from home has made me appreciate the city more since I spend more time in my neighborhood. I actually get to visit the local coffee shops and new lunch places around my apartment!

my current work setup My current desk setup. Smaller desk, nicer space!

Working from home is not for everyone, and not every job can be done from home: I know this. Similarly, I know that not all employers would provide the flexibility to find a good work-from-home rhythm like mine does. Still, I’m glad that at this point in my life I get the opportunity to do this!