It’s no question that this has been a time of great challenges. With these hardships, came new opportunities, one of which was the expansion of the digital landscape. Students around the globe are learning remotely, interviewing digitally and navigating the work from home life.

Director of the Office of Career & Professional Development Mary Claire Dismukes and four panelists recently dove into the unique challenges and opportunities presented in the “year of Zoom” in a new Belmont & Beyond event. Panelists included Jimmy Davis, professor of communication studies, Jeremy Fyke, assistant professor of communication studies, Mabry Culp, Belmont alumna and staffing services associate at Google, and Ronnie Ross, senior regional recruitment manager at City Year.

Below are to three key tips on how to ensure that you thrive in your new life online, make the most of opportunities to connect with other and take on the challenges of new technology.

• Be prepared for technology to fail.

While months of virtual work and school have given time to address technological issues and further adapt to an online world, technology is not infallible. Davis shared his experience with BlackBoard Collaborate and the struggles students faced in adapting to remote learning. While he hoped for a smooth transition to the online classroom, some days the failure of technology was simply out of his hands. “My students had huge hardware issues. No one was prepared for the move to an online classroom,” Davis explained.

Ross recommends always testing your technology before putting it to use in a real-life situation. Before hopping on an interview or class session, be sure to check that your technology is ready to go. Give yourself at least a few minutes to test your mic, check to see if your camera is working and make sure you have all of the materials you need to be successful.

• Stay on your toes.

No one expected a global pandemic, nor did anyone foresee the worldwide transition to living life online. With no certain end to the pandemic in sight, it’s crucial to be able to adapt to whatever changes may still come.

When asked how her job at Google has evolved over the course of the past year, Culp said, “I think the focal point in pivoting this year has been Google’s responsibility to be helpful.” In the midst of COVID-19, billions of people are scouring the internet for information about the pandemic, resources of medical advice and even just how to stay afloat. So, Google implemented a screening test to provide searchers with information that is more relevant and easily accessible. Culp noted that while this improved the way searchers get information, the process isn’t complete.

In light of the pandemic and limited in-person experiences, this applies to all fields and industries in our current societal context. A co-worker may be diagnosed with COVID-19 and result in the closure of the office. Your company may transition to a hybrid model including remote work and office work. So, be flexible and prepare to adapt as new developments arise.

• Be intentional about cultivating connection.

Making connections and fostering community while remote is difficult to say the least. So many of us who have graduated recently or are graduating soon, are faced with the hurdle of online job-hunting. With the job search comes applications. With applications come interviews. Interview look drastically different now than they did pre-pandemic. In fact, almost all interviews are being conducted virtually. For current and formers students that are beginning new jobs, onboarding processes are more difficult than ever online, not to mention bonding with co-workers. Across the globe, individuals and companies are struggling to create and maintain relationships in a time of separation.

Working with organizational leaders in the virtual space, Fyke has found that building trust and rapport in a virtual work environment has been his biggest teaching subject in demand. So, how can we still create and maintain connections? Ross says video calls can help. In fact, he recommends doing a visual scan of the background on Zoom calls or other videocommunications to spark conversation. “I interviewed someone the other day, and they had a St. Louis Blues poster behind them. They just won the Stanley Cup not too long ago, so I used sports to make a connection with him,” Ross said. “I remember that guy and the conversation we had.”

Ross also encourages individuals to focus on being themselves and showing true authenticity. This couldn’t be more important. While interviews and introductions in the digital age can be intimidating, being true to yourself is the most important component to creating connection. Don’t be afraid to be you! On another note, especially in light of the challenging time we are all living in, being genuine is of the utmost importance. Further, being extra kind and understanding is absolute requirement as we all continue to do our best to navigate the world both online and offline. Show compassion. Reach out to co-workers. Ask people how they’re doing…and mean it. And of course, don’t forget to show that same care and concern for yourself.

Katie McAdams is a 2020 graduate of Belmont University.