It's hard to believe that it has been six years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the sudden changes it brought to how many of us worked.
In early 2020, engineering organizations across the country rapidly shifted to remote work, virtual meetings, and new approaches to collaboration. For many civil engineers, it was the first time working outside the office for extended periods, and it prompted a lot of discussion about productivity, flexibility, and workplace culture.
Now that several years have passed, I'm curious how things have evolved for people across the profession. Below are some questions to prompt discussion.
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What changes from the COVID era have stuck in your workplace? (Remote work, hybrid schedules, virtual collaboration tools, etc.)
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What practices have reverted back to pre-COVID norms?
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Did the pandemic permanently change your expectations about work? (Flexibility, commuting, office presence, work–life balance, etc.)
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Have you personally made any career changes since 2020 that were influenced by the shift in workplace norms?
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Christopher Seigel P.E., M.ASCE
Civil Engineer
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