• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup

2

Markets tumble worldwide as Fed resets expectations: $400 billion wiped off SpaceX stock

3

Former U.S. Secret Service agent says bringing your authentic self to work stifles teamwork: 'You don’t get high performers, you get sloppiness'

1

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup

2

Markets tumble worldwide as Fed resets expectations: $400 billion wiped off SpaceX stock

3

Former U.S. Secret Service agent says bringing your authentic self to work stifles teamwork: 'You don’t get high performers, you get sloppiness'
LeadershipFuture of Work

College grads: Your first job doesn’t have to be in an office

By
May 6, 2015, 11:05 AM ET
453316791
Family lifestylePhotograph by Nick David — Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Dear Annie: Please settle an argument. I’m graduating from college in a few weeks and have been dragging my feet about accepting a job offer — I’ve had three — because I dread the thought of being stuck in a cubicle. What I’d really like is a job that I could do from home, or even from the road if I’m traveling. Friends, however, tell me that companies where you can work from a remote location, or more than one, always require that you do some time in an office first. Is that true? — Footloose

Dear Footloose: You’ll be happy to hear that your friends are a bit behind the times. It’s true that, until recently, telecommuting was a privilege extended almost exclusively to people who had proven themselves in an office setting first, and maybe worked from home on a trial basis for a while until they demonstrated that they weren’t spending the day watching MacGyver reruns.

A few employers still approach telecommuting that way, but more and more, work is becoming untethered from the office, partly thanks to technology and partly because of Millennials like you.

“A new batch of college graduates is entering the workforce, and they’re demanding work flexibility,” says Sara Sutton Fell. She is CEO of FlexJobs.com, which lists flexible and telecommuting jobs. Fell says the number of these job postings went up 26% last year alone. FlexJobs’ database now has a database of about 30,000 companies, including positions at IBM, Apple, Amazon, Salesforce, American Express, and Aetna.

To give you an idea of the kinds of work you can do from home without doing time in an office first, here’s a current sampling:

  • Teacher. Virtual teaching positions are proliferating as more private and public schools go online. Requirements are similar to those for classroom teaching jobs: A bachelor’s degree, state certification, and at least six months of student-teaching experience.
  • Sales consultant. Here you’d be assigned to win new customers, and provide some service and support to existing ones, in a given region. Strong communication skills, problem-solving ability, and a willingness to travel required.
  • Product associate. Sometimes called product managers, these folks conduct field research for sales and marketing departments and work with external vendors. Most openings require strong research and communications skills.
  • Background investigator. You’d be working with clients to research, interview, and screen people for national security clearance. A bachelor’s degree (in any field) is a requirement, along with good communication skills.
  • Translator. Jobs are always plentiful for people who are fluent in two or more languages and have an academic background in fields like science, engineering or health care. The role requires the ability to translate specialized technical jargon.
  • Technical editor. Publishing companies and other businesses need people with backgrounds in software, engineering, and robotics to proofread and edit product manuals and other kinds of technical materials.
  • Gaming support representative. Open to college grads who are also experienced gamers, these jobs require you to provide technical support and troubleshooting to fellow gamers.

Here’s another thought: Since you mention you’ve already received three job offers, have you talked with any of those employers about your reluctance to be “stuck in a cubicle,” as you put it? Most companies (84%) now allow or even encourage telecommuting for “some or select” employees, according to the latest survey on flextime and telecommuting from the Society for Human Resource Management.

Even better, almost as big a majority (70%) say they’re fine with telecommuting “on a regular basis” for any employee who can make the arrangement work. So, assuming you’re interested in one or more of the positions you’ve been offered, why not see if you can negotiate to work remotely? The deal might call for an agreed-upon period of getting your feet wet in an office first, but even so, it’s worth a try.

Talkback: Does your company encourage telecommuting? If you’ve ever done it, how did it work out for you? Leave a comment below.

Have a career question for Anne Fisher? Email askannie@fortune.com.

Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Leadership

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Leadership

The hidden cost of your AI rollout: burning out the high performers running it
Workplace Cultureburnout
The hidden cost of your AI rollout: burning out the high performers running it
By Mikaela Cohen and HR BrewJune 23, 2026
8 hours ago
dr
HealthCancer
The U.S. cut cancer deaths by 34% since 1991—but not in 458 rural counties
By Arthur Cosby and The ConversationJune 23, 2026
11 hours ago
college
SuccessEducation
47% of Harvard seniors admit to cheating — and the problem existed long before ChatGPT
By Austin Sarat and The ConversationJune 23, 2026
11 hours ago
work
Workplace Culturework culture
Worker engagement just hit a decade low — and new data from 88 million employees shows why managers are the problem
By Bob Batchelor and The ConversationJune 23, 2026
11 hours ago
Young woman shopper in store
SuccessPersonal Finance
As 93% of Americans lean on coupons to get by, Bed Bath & Beyond is splashing out $100K on a home renovation for their thriftiest shopper
By Emma BurleighJune 23, 2026
13 hours ago
Matt Freese stopping a soccer ball entering the goal
SuccessCareers
Team USA’s goalkeeper passed on Manchester United, the club that helped shape David Beckham’s career, for Harvard—and has zero regrets
By Preston ForeJune 23, 2026
13 hours ago

Most Popular

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
Success
After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 23, 2026
17 hours ago
Markets tumble worldwide as Fed resets expectations: $400 billion wiped off SpaceX stock
Banking
Markets tumble worldwide as Fed resets expectations: $400 billion wiped off SpaceX stock
By Jim EdwardsJune 23, 2026
19 hours ago
Former U.S. Secret Service agent says bringing your authentic self to work stifles teamwork: 'You don’t get high performers, you get sloppiness'
Success
Former U.S. Secret Service agent says bringing your authentic self to work stifles teamwork: 'You don’t get high performers, you get sloppiness'
By Sydney LakeJune 21, 2026
3 days ago
Meet the 2 men putting New York's $300 billion pension fund in play for the first time in 20 years
Investing
Meet the 2 men putting New York's $300 billion pension fund in play for the first time in 20 years
By Nick LichtenbergJune 22, 2026
2 days ago
Current price of oil as of June 22, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 22, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 22, 2026
2 days ago
Current price of oil as of June 23, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 23, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 23, 2026
16 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.