Lately, I’ve seen a lot of people claim that remote work is bad for early-career professionals. They say young employees need to be in an office to learn, build relationships, and advance. But here’s the thing: the people making these claims never started their careers remotely.

I did.

I started working remotely full-time at 21, long before the pandemic made it mainstream. And not only did my career take off like a rocketship, so did my life. Because I didn’t have to choose between the two.

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The Truth About Being Young and Remote

The idea that remote work holds young people back assumes that success comes from proximity, being seen in the office, chatting with the right people, and proving your worth through desk time.

But highly ambitious young professionals are the ones who benefit the most from remote work. Here’s why:

• Instead of being judged on age, degree, looks, or time at a desk, they’re judged on output. And that’s where they can really shine
• They can advance faster without the outdated constraints of “paying their dues” in office politics
• They gain more autonomy and responsibility earlier, which accelerates learning

That’s how I went from Data Engineer to Head of Product & Operations in less than five years (while also building a company that exploded when the pandemic hit).

On the personal side, remote work allowed me to get married and become a homeowner earlier than most my age. It also let me focus on my health during challenges without sacrificing my career and build a strong foundation for the life I wanted. I became deeply involved in my local community and was even elected to local office, something that would have been difficult with a rigid office schedule.

Ambition thrives when it’s judged on real impact, not office optics.

Fast Growth, Without the Office Politics

I’m not the only one who has experienced this. Podcast star, Steph Smith, also started working remotely young and had a similar experience:

This is a key point: Mentorship isn’t limited to in-person interactions.

If anything, remote work makes mentorship more accessible because you’re not limited to learning from the people in one location. Instead, you can connect with industry leaders anywhere in the world.

But what about learning beyond mentorship? Many assume that remote professionals miss out on career development opportunities because they’re not in an office. In reality, remote work encourages self-driven learning and access to global resources. Young professionals who take advantage of this can:

• Learn directly from top experts, rather than just the coworkers assigned to their office
• Join online communities and mastermind groups to grow their knowledge and network
• Take advantage of asynchronous training, recorded workshops, and digital resources that allow them to upskill at their own pace

With the right approach, remote work expands learning opportunities rather than limiting them.

Remote Work Rewards Quality, Not Just Presence

In an office, people are often judged by external factors like appearance, desk time, and social connections. You’ve probably heard advice like "dress for the job you want" or "be the first in and the last to leave." These things don’t measure actual performance, they measure visibility.

Remote work removes these external distractions and shifts the focus to the work itself. Instead of being assessed based on optics, remote professionals are judged on impact, execution, and results.

This change is a huge advantage for people who have historically been overlooked (whether due to age, gender, or background). It also levels the playing field, making career growth more about merit and performance than office politics.

Of course, some struggle to adjust to this shift. I’ve seen early-career remote employees try to “prove” themselves by logging in early and staying late, only to realize no one is paying attention to those old office metrics.

Those who recognize the new rules of remote work focus on the right things. They:

• Document their work instead of relying on visibility
• Build a portfolio of results rather than waiting for recognition
• Communicate progress proactively instead of assuming their work speaks for itself

The people who embrace this shift move up quickly. Those who don’t often feel lost and struggle to grow.

Building Relationships as a Remote Early-Career Professional

Another common misconception is that remote workers struggle to form strong relationships.

Again, not my experience. I:

• Built lifelong friendships with remote coworkers, whom I still talk to close to a decade later
• Formed a global network that has helped me in my career in ways that wouldn’t have been possible in a single office
• Became a remote work settler, rooting myself in my local community and even getting elected to local office

And fun fact: Steph Smith even got married to a former remote coworker!

The idea that remote workers are lonely assumes that connection only happens by sitting next to someone. But when you’re intentional, remote friendships are just as strong (if not stronger) because they transcend location.

Remote Work Is an Opportunity, Not a Setback

Young professionals don’t need to be in an office to succeed. They need:

✅ A chance to prove themselves based on output, not office politics
✅ Mentors and learning opportunities that aren’t limited to who happens to sit next to them
✅ The ability to design a career that fits their ambitions and lifestyle, rather than being forced into a rigid structure

There will always be people who insist that the old way is the only way. But the reality is, young professionals who embrace remote work have more control, more opportunity, and more flexibility than ever before.

For those who are motivated, remote work isn’t a career setback. It’s a competitive advantage.

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TLDR

Ambitious young people thrive in remote roles by proving themselves through output, not office politics.

Those who adapt move up faster, build global networks, and design careers that align with their ambitions.

Remote work isn’t a setback—it’s an advantage.

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Quote of the Week

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

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In Other News

​5 Years Without Meetings​
Highly recommend this article from Paperbell's founder, Laura Roeder. "We aren’t just taking meetings away. We’re building a company from the ground up that makes meetings unnecessary."

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In Case You Missed It

​How Great Remote Teams Make Decisions​
Last week, I shared the best way to make decisions while working remotely. Check it out here if you're looking for ways to avoid the endless meetings and stalled progress.

Work Forward Society Want to meet others who do work differently? Join us in making 2025 your year of less meetings and more real work! Join The Work Forward Society →

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What did you think of this issue? What do you hope to see in the next one? Hit reply and let me know. I read every response. I truly appreciate you taking the time to read this. Hope you have a lovely day! Marissa ​Founder, Remote Work Prep​ P.S. Did you enjoy this issue? Share the article with a friend. Struggling with a remote work problem? Book a coaching call. If you liked this, consider supporting this free newsletter by leaving a testimonial. ​

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