Return to Office (RTO) is a topic of debate these days. Here’s why you should be happy to see more of it in the future.
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Last week, I caught up with some old colleagues who work at Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta. As we swapped stories, one topic kept coming up: Amazon’s new RTO (return to office) policy. Starting in January 2025, Amazon employees will need to be in the office five days a week.
Generally, the world’s reactions to this are mixed — some say Amazon is out of touch, others think it’s a push to downsize staff.
But at our table, we agreed on one thing: for junior developers, remote work can be the silent killer of professional growth (and RTO is a good thing).
Being in the office gives you a critical edge by helping you build a stronger, more personal network — one that can open doors to new opportunities and accelerate your career.
As opposed to remote interactions, in-office networking happens naturally and spontaneously. Grabbing lunch, chatting by the coffee machine, or joining after-work activities lets you connect with more people — including those who aren’t on your immediate team.
What’s more, being physically present gets you more visibility for your work and contributions. Through your contributions in meetings, close collaborations on projects, and eagerness to learn, it’ll be easier to make a lasting impression on others.
And here’s the real advantage: a strong network helps you get valuable referrals, which lead to new roles and project opportunities later down the line.
Tips to maximize your in-office time:
- Join lunch or coffee breaks to meet people outside your team
- Ask questions and seek advice from senior devs
- Attend in-person company events, meetups, or after-work activities
- Volunteer for projects that expose you to different teams and leaders
2. You’ll integrate with company culture
Ever feel disconnected from your company’s culture while working remotely? You’re not alone.
One of the biggest advantages of being in the office is the proximity to senior developers. As a junior dev, you’re often focused on smaller tasks with short deadlines. But being in the same space as senior developers lets you observe how they handle long-term, high-priority projects.
Early in my career, watching senior devs tackle complex system issues gave me insights I wouldn’t have gained on my own. Their approach – from diagnosing the root cause to testing solutions — expanded my understanding of the full development cycle.
By witnessing how senior devs work firsthand, you’ll see why being a developer isn’t just about coding — it’s about solving challenges, making difficult trade-offs, and leading teams. These in-person learning moments are invaluable, and they’re much harder to come by remotely.
How to make the most of your time with senior devs:
- Shadow their work or sit in on code reviews
- Ask them to walk you through a challenge they solved
- Offer to help with a small task
- Jot down key takeaways from what you’ve learned
5. You’ll build your soft skills
Some things Zoom just can’t teach you.
While you can pick up technical skills on your own, in-person work is the best way to build soft skills in real time, helping you grow into a " to present their findings to leadership in a way that they understand.
Think about it: If soft skills weren't such a game changer for developers, then why would we put candidates through behavioral interviews?
Bottom line: Embrace being in-person (or be left behind)
Here’s the reality: being in the office will likely give you more career opportunities than working remotely.
While remote has its perks, if you’re a new developer looking to level up quickly, the opportunities for growth and relationship building you’ll get in person are hard to replicate online.
Sure, the comfort of working from home is tempting – but if it's slowing your growth, is it really worth it?
So, take the leap. Ask for more in-office days. Volunteer for on-site projects. And start building the connections, skills, and insights that will accelerate your career.
Your future senior developer self will thank you.
If you’re looking for other ways to level up your skills, Educative’s Learn to Code courses can help you master the technical skills you’ll need along the way. Then, you can pair that learning with in-office experiences for the ultimate career growth trajectory.
Happy learning!
— Fahim
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