If you are just beginning your career, all the back and forth about return-to-office might feel like noise. Some companies want everyone back full-time. Others are keeping hybrid schedules. A few remain remote-first.

It matters more than it seems. Where you work shapes how quickly you learn, who notices your efforts, and how fast you grow. For early-career professionals, those factors are often the difference between moving forward and staying stuck.

Why Many Younger Workers Are Going In More

According to the Financial Times, workers under 24 are actually going into the office more often than older colleagues. Many spend around three days a week in person. That might sound surprising, since younger generations are often described as digital-first.

The reality is different. Many younger employees want flexibility, but they also understand that you cannot learn everything on video calls. Watching how a manager leads a meeting, asking questions in the moment, and getting quick feedback all happen more easily in person.

What Gets Lost in Hybrid

When office time is inconsistent, mentorship is usually what slips away. You may miss the chance to sit in on a client call or to get feedback on a project because you are not in the same room. These moments might look small from the outside, but they add up to faster growth, stronger confidence, and greater visibility.

Hybrid Can Still Work

Research from MIT Sloan Review and Forbes shows mentorship can be just as strong in hybrid or remote environments if it is done with purpose. That means structured check-ins, clear expectations, and consistent time with mentors or managers. Hoping to bump into someone in the office is not enough.

How to Make Hybrid Work for You

If you are early in your career or currently job hunting, here are a few practical steps:

• Choose anchor days. Coordinate with your team so you are in the office on the same days.
• Ask for mentorship. Request regular meetings or shadowing opportunities rather than waiting for them to appear.
• Stay visible online. Share progress updates and questions in Slack, Teams, or email so your contributions are seen.
• Use access wisely. Whether in person or virtual, ask thoughtful questions to understand how more experienced colleagues make decisions.

What to Ask in Interviews

Job seekers should ask about hybrid expectations and mentorship during interviews. Good questions include:

• “How do junior employees receive feedback when working remotely?”
• “What opportunities exist to learn directly from senior staff?”

Companies that value early-career growth will be ready with clear answers.

Conclusion

The fight over return-to-office is not really about desks or commutes. It is about how early-career professionals can learn, connect, and grow.

If you are starting out, focus less on the number of days you are in the office and more on how you use that time. Hybrid can accelerate your career if you treat both in-person and remote days as chances to build skills, get feedback, and show your value.

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