PHOENIX — Since the coronavirus pandemic began, there has been a shift in the typical 9-to-5 jobs workers have been used to.
Many companies have its employees working from home to keep them safe and experts believe, this is likely going to change the way the U.S. will operate business in the future.
The Rebound Arizona spoke with a Valley man, who said he can take on new opportunities across the country, all from his Phoenix home office.
While his alarm clock may be set a little earlier and his listening skills may be working a little harder, Antonio Casian said mastering the Boston accent is all worth it for his new part-time gig.
Casian calls it a "dream come true," that he can work for a company in Massachusetts from the comforts of his Arizona office.
The Arizona State University graduate and Bullhead City native works in Digital Marketing. So, for him, technology has always been a part of his life, which has made this transition easier.
"People are struggling and adapting to this new reality," Casian said. "But, once you're in it and you have your routine, you have your procedures… I think it's going to be a godsend for all of us."
Aquent, a staffing firm for marketers and designers, helped Casian find this option.
"Since COVID, we've had almost a generation of change compacted into to... 6 to 8 short months," explained Aquent CEO John H. Chuang.
Chaung believes this shift of how Americans work is here to stay.
"We're about to see a really big change in the economy where people are able to work from home, people are able to avoid commuting, people don't have to move to certain big cities in order to get certain jobs, Chuang explained. "I think we're going to see a really big change in how America works."
Chaung anticipates more industries, not just tech-based careers, to offer remote-work in the future.
"A lot of these companies want to hire folks in different areas," Chuang said. "Diversity reasons, cost reasons, all sorts of other reasons."
To thrive in a career like this, Chaung suggests getting comfortable with the technology.
"I think people have to be really just open to trying new things," Chuang said. "I think that is the biggest skill set you need."
Life happens between 9-to-5 and Casian hopes this shift can give more people that work-life balance, no matter where a boss is based.
"It just gives us, at least for me, that freedom and flexibility that I have been yearning for so long," said Casian.
