There it was, looming in the horizon. At first, no one thought it could happen, but then, everyone thought it should happen. Ultimately, it did happen and most of the world now finds itself in a state of lockdown due to the Coronavirus quarantine measures. Along with the lockdown, another reality hit, and it was having to convert our homes into a place of work (for those who have jobs in which this can actually be done), thus taking us to where we are now in which a state of home office has become the norm.
We have all been bombarded with memes, shared links and videos with information and advice about how to make your home office experience be the best it can be. We have been told about the rules and parameters that must be followed in order to make it work, but what about those people who had jobs that could not be performed from home via online? Certainly, a challenge has been presented to them and their job continuity is in jeopardy with every passing day.
What is seemingly a problem at first sight, must really be seen as an opportunity when you take a closer look. Taking advantage of your idle time and trying to improve yourself and your skills as a worker is pivotal in today’s world. But it’s not enough to have a good set of skills, as those must be paired with a command of the English language that will turn you into a desirable asset for companies looking for personnel who can comply with the home office requirements. It’s no longer just about having knowledge of your craft but it’s now also about being able to reach more people in the world with that knowledge, and the one way to do so is by learning how to speak English.
Everyone could see this situation coming; to some extent, it was like the plot of the famed novel “Chronicle of a Death Foretold”, in which the characters knew that there was danger in the air, yet no one acted upon it. In our case, we all knew that having to work from home was a real possibility, but not all took the steps to prepare themselves for the challenge that we now face. Now, the reality that we have at our doorsteps is the following: “Home Office or No Office (at all),” which means that you either acquire the skills and knowledge to work from home, or there won’t be any work at all. It’s up to all of us. And you? What will your choice be?
Alfredo E. Clark Lindo
Director Corporativo de Monitoria