The year 2020 brought unprecedented changes to the global landscape, rapidly shifting traditional norms in both education and the professional world. For many, the familiar commute to school or work was replaced by the much shorter journey to the kitchen table, and business attire gave way to the comfort of athleisure wear. This new reality demanded adaptability and resilience, especially for those embarking on their careers. The Rbc Career Launch Program 2020 emerged during this transformative period, providing recent graduates with invaluable opportunities to start their professional journeys in a completely virtual environment.
This article delves into the experiences of participants in the RBC Career Launch Program 2020, offering a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of remote work. We’ll explore how these early career professionals navigated the complexities of working from home, maintained work-life balance in blurred boundaries, and leveraged virtual platforms to build connections and excel in their roles. Join us as we learn from Maria, an Associate in the RBC Career Launch Program 2020 in Halifax, who shares her firsthand experiences and insights into thriving in a virtual workspace.
Meet Maria: Embracing the Virtual Journey with RBC Career Launch Program 2020
Name: Maria
Title: Associate, RBC Career Launch Program
Location: Halifax
Program Year: Started March 2020
Maria joined the RBC Career Launch Program 2020, a comprehensive one-year program designed for recent graduates, featuring three distinct rotations. Initially slated to begin her first rotation at an RBC branch in Halifax, the onset of the pandemic swiftly transitioned her entire program to a virtual format. Having just completed her studies a week before starting at RBC, Maria encountered the unique experience of commencing her professional career entirely online.
Embracing the Work-From-Home Environment
Reflecting on her initial experiences, Maria describes the transition to remote work as “a bit of a roller coaster.” The abrupt shift from structured academic life to a work environment lacking physical boundaries presented initial challenges. Establishing a routine and adapting to the virtual dynamic required time and adjustment. However, Maria emphasizes the remarkable turnaround: “After a month and a half, it just became normal. Now I really enjoy working from home and think it would be weird to go to an office because I’m so used to this!” This sentiment highlights the adaptability fostered by the RBC Career Launch Program 2020 participants. The experience has been profoundly rewarding, allowing for personal growth and self-discovery amidst the professional journey.
A Day in the Virtual Life of an RBC Career Launch Associate
Maria provides a glimpse into her daily schedule, illustrating the structured approach she adopted to thrive in her remote role within the RBC Career Launch Program 2020. Her day begins early, waking up around 6:45 am or 7:00 am, followed by a routine of yoga, showering, and breakfast. By 8:00 am, she is at her desk, prioritizing a clean and organized workspace. This dedicated time is used for desk tidying and preparation for the workday ahead.
Work commences at 8:30 am, with the first 90 minutes dedicated to professional development, a core component of the RBC Career Launch Program 2020. This period is utilized for online courses and industry-relevant reading, focusing on skill enhancement. Following professional development, Maria addresses assigned emails and tasks, taking a lunch break around 12:30 pm. Her workday concludes at 5:00 pm, followed by an hour at the gym and evening relaxation, ensuring a balanced approach to her day.
Crafting the Ideal Home Workspace
Workspace setup is crucial for productivity in a remote environment. Maria describes her minimalist yet effective setup: “I like to have two monitors, so I have my laptop and another monitor set up.” She emphasizes the importance of organization, keeping notes filed and readily accessible. While her current setup is simple, she recognizes the significance of ergonomics, particularly a good chair, especially with her boyfriend also now working from home.
Working from her bedroom, Maria has cultivated a positive and conducive atmosphere with natural light, plants, and personal pictures. She acknowledges that bedroom workspaces are common but cautions against working directly from bed. “You might be tempted to work on your bed with your laptop but it’s not a good idea! So when I wake up in the morning, I make sure to make my bed right away so I’m not tempted to go back in.” This practical tip underscores the importance of setting boundaries even within a home environment.
Managing Distractions in a Shared Home Office
With her boyfriend also working from home, managing distractions becomes a key consideration. Maria shares their strategy: “We’re pretty good with distractions, especially since my boyfriend is on the phone a lot for work. In the morning we say bye to each other before work, eat lunch together, and then say bye again before we work until 5pm.” This clear communication and structured approach to shared workspace ensures productivity and minimizes interruptions during work hours, while still allowing for quality time together. Socialization and personal time are prioritized after work hours, further delineating work-life boundaries.
Building Virtual Connections and Team Cohesion
Integrating into a team and forging relationships virtually can be challenging, but the RBC Career Launch Program 2020 actively fostered a supportive and connected environment. Maria highlights her team’s proactive approach: “I’m very lucky that everyone on my team is social. They created group chats right away and we use these chats for work purposes, and to get to know each other and socialize.” These group chats facilitated both professional collaboration and informal social interaction, bridging the physical distance.
Regular check-ins from managers further enhanced the sense of belonging. “I receive calls from my managers to see how I’m doing and it’s nice to see that they want to make us feel like a part of the team.” The program’s structure includes dedicated managers and mentors, providing consistent support and guidance. “I’m assigned a manager and a mentor, who I chat with daily. The manager assigns the tasks I’m doing as part of my job and the mentor is the person I go to when I need help.” This robust support system was instrumental in the success of RBC Career Launch Program 2020 participants in a virtual setting.
Trust and Credibility in the Remote Realm
Establishing trust and credibility in a virtual work environment requires demonstrating reliability and consistent performance. Maria explains how she achieved this: “My role has clear metrics that reflect my output, so one of the biggest measures is my progress and how I’ve been able to achieve more in the same amount of time since starting this position.” Proactive communication is also key. “I respond to emails as soon as I can, so people know that I’m here and working. I let my manager know if I can take on more work to show a willingness to learn and develop more skills.” This proactive approach and focus on deliverables built trust and demonstrated her commitment within the virtual team.
Skills Developed in the Virtual Workplace
The virtual experience of the RBC Career Launch Program 2020 provided a unique opportunity for skill development. Maria points to virtual networking as a significant area of growth. “The biggest would be virtual networking. I wasn’t huge on networking before so virtual networking sounded intimidating. But I’ve been joining in on meetings, sending messages to people, connecting on LinkedIn, and it feels more comfortable to me.” She gained confidence in initiating virtual connections and expanding her professional network. The program’s nationwide reach also facilitated networking opportunities. “There are over 100 Career Launch Associates across Canada and we have an RBC Connect group for us to get to know each other, which makes it easy to meet people.”
Beyond networking, the program emphasized soft skills and professional development. “In my professional development, I’ve been able to do so much more than what I thought was possible. With the RBC learning platform there are courses around data management, communications, and presentation skills.” The dedicated professional development hour and access to RBC’s learning platform provided valuable resources for continuous growth.
RBC’s Support for Virtual Success
RBC’s commitment to the success of the RBC Career Launch Program 2020 participants in a virtual environment is evident in their comprehensive support system. Maria highlights specific initiatives: “We actually have virtual meetings about working from home. Last week I was in a meeting about leading and working virtually, and another meeting that was organized by the mental health committee on how to take care of yourself as a remote employee and creating boundaries.” These dedicated sessions addressed the unique challenges of remote work, emphasizing well-being and work-life balance.
The consistent support from managers and mentors further reinforced RBC’s commitment. “I like that my manager and mentor check up on me. It’s a good feeling knowing that RBC cares about our well-being and that I’m not on my own here.” Despite the physical distance, Maria emphasizes a strong sense of team cohesion: “It’s weird but I’ve never felt more like I’m part of a team than now.” This testament underscores the effectiveness of RBC’s virtual support system and the strong community fostered within the RBC Career Launch Program 2020.
Conclusion: Thriving in the Virtual Era with RBC Career Launch Program 2020
The experiences of Maria and her fellow participants in the RBC Career Launch Program 2020 showcase the adaptability, resilience, and success possible in a virtual work environment. The program provided not only valuable professional opportunities but also a robust support system, fostering skill development, virtual networking, and a strong sense of community. For recent graduates navigating the evolving professional landscape, the RBC Career Launch Program 2020 stands as a testament to the power of virtual opportunities and the importance of comprehensive support in launching a successful career in any environment.
