The COVID-19 pandemic brought changes to work environments through the use of technology and adaptation to remote environments.

The advance of technology allowed workers to continue their obligations from home and brought improvements and changes to careers.

Michael Jackson, an advertising lecturer, resides in Arizona and teaches two advertising courses half remotely and half in-person. Jackson comes to Kent State and lectures in person for two weeks and then returns to Arizona and meets with his students during class time on Microsoft Teams for the following two weeks.

Jackson said the advertising industry shifted to a hybrid environment, and this hybrid class system is a way to prepare students for this increased at-home work setting in their field.

“I just think it’s really important for our students to understand that there is an expectation that when you leave here and you get a job that you know and value and understand the importance of the hybrid work trends that are happening all around us,” Jackson said.

There is an increase in hybrid and remote internships in the advertising field as well, and the students are benefiting from the skills gained in class while still in college, Jackson said. 

“You know, when I sit and talk with students one on one, they’ll talk about their internship, and almost invariably, they’ll talk about it being remote or hybrid, and the fact that they understand how Teams or Zoom works,” Jackson said. “They don’t have a lack of confidence in speaking on camera. They know how to ensure that they have an environment that’s kind of professional.”

Jackson said companies can reach more diverse employers and different mindsets with this change to a virtual work environment. Brands can hire employees from different locations with different backgrounds, expanding their talent pool.

Confidence in speaking and knowing how to express yourself in both online and in-person environments are the main takeaways Jackson gives his students. 

“Because of the age of social media and digital media, and how savvy you guys are as users, oftentimes you’re going to find that people are going to be very genuinely interested in getting your perspective from day one,” Jackson said. “So having the confidence, whether it’s online or in person, to kind of speak, articulate your thoughts, whether you agree with what the perspective is being shared or not, are things that I’m trying to really stress.” 

Jackson brings guest speakers to his classroom for students to get the chance to hear from field experts and get different perspectives from the advertising industry. Jackson said the feedback he gets from the speakers is positive and they are eager to return to another class. 

The class has a system of only opening the microphone and camera when the student speaks. Jackson said the guest speakers oftentimes adopt this system in their workplace after this online exchange with the students. 

Christine Kauth, an associate dean of the College of Nursing, said nursing students have been in contact with Telehealth, a new method for online consultations. 

“This type of care really took off during the pandemic,” Kauth said. “There are a lot of benefits to that in that they don’t have to go to the hospital or doctor’s office sick or be around other sick people.” 

Other benefits of the Telehealth consultations include the instant feedback and the lack of exposure to other illnesses, Kauth said. The waiting times are reduced and patients reach out to a doctor in a pre-established time that is convenient for them.

Doctors have increased the use of Telehealth, and nursing students at Kent State learn about this system, Kauth said. She explained that graduate students are more likely to be exposed to this care system in their practicums. 

Another adaptation to the healthcare field is hospital smart rooms, a new way of bedside nursing. Kauth said this is a combination of cameras, microphones, artificial intelligence and a nurse working remotely assisting multiple patients in a unit.

“She has the ability to see into the room for each of those patients to determine if their condition is deteriorating or if they’re trying to get up out of bed without help,” Kauth said. “They would be able to immediately call for someone to get to that room to prevent that patient from falling.”

Kauth said the artificial intelligence can detect certain patient cues that will then alert the nurses in the hospital to assist the patient. This reduces the risks patients are exposed to and is beneficial in their recovery.

Emily Baker, nutrition and dietetics internship program director and lecturer, said dieticians adopted Telehealth during the pandemic.

“If you had a dietitian working within a company or a business or even a hospital, you’re really able to reach a small percentage of individuals,” Baker said. “So, it’s a really wonderful opportunity for us to expand our services and reach a larger number of people.”

Baker said patients also benefit from the in-home consultation, especially those without easy access to transportation.

This change in the dietitian industry has been adopted in the combined master’s of science/dietetic internship program at Kent State. Students must complete 1500 supervised internship practice hours. The hours are divided into different areas called rotations, so that students can get experience in different fields. Baker said during the business rotation 95% of the students do an online or hybrid internship.

“It’s a business rotation, and businesses that basically employ or are run by dietitians frequently are on a virtual platform,” Baker said. “I think having this experience helps them to decide if that is an optimal work environment for them or not. Some interns complete these virtual business rotations, and they discover, ‘This is not for me.’”

Baker said the interns’ tasks in those online internships include conducting counseling sessions in the Telehealth environment, writing blogs or newsletters, giving presentations and creating other educational materials.

Baker said she does not see the possibility of the entire nutrition and dietitian industry moving to the online setting as clinical dietitians need to see their patients in person while recovering from bariatric surgery.

“I don’t think it will ever fully take over nutrition services as a whole, and there’s a certain population that really enjoys that one-on-one because there’s a personal connection that sometimes you can’t achieve in a virtual setting,” Baker said.

Ana Julia Cechin Facco is reporter. Contact her at [email protected].