What Do 2023 Coworkers Look Like?
Coworking is well established and draws its participants from a variety of situations. This year, nearly 1 million Americans are going to the 6,200 coworking sites in the U.S. at least once a week. That’s a 158% increase since 2020! Remote work is appealing to a range of individuals due to its convenience, easier commute and more relaxed atmosphere than what’s offered by the company office.
Who are all these people who go to coworking spaces like our My Space Downtown in Panama City? They fit into some predictable, but also some surprising, categories:
Freelancers. About 4 in 10 coworkers are freelancers. They piece together temporary or part-time jobs so they can work the number of hours they want (or need to for income).
IT Specialists. About 2 in 10 coworkers are IT specialists. They work for companies or referral agencies on projects involving coding, networks or infrastructure maintenance, whether software or hardware. Their average age is 32 and seven of 10 are men.
Introverts. Introverts, who generally don’t like to engage with others and prefer to work alone, gravitate to coworking sites. While this seems counterintuitive, introverts know they can find a quiet spot and don’t have to talk to anyone, unlike in the office where they might be expected to engage with project teams or their supervisor. For them, coworking is like a hideout.
Extroverts. Even though introverts like coworking, so do extroverts. Coworking spaces give them the opportunity to introduce themselves to new people, especially because the coworking clientele changes nearly every day.
First Timers. Two of three coworkers come to their coworking site as first-timers. Either their employer has just allowed them to work remotely, or they grew tired of the isolation of working from home. If you are nervous about being a newcomer, you will find a lot of coworkers in your shoes!
Nature Lovers. Workers tired of being cooped up in an office tower love coworking options that facilitate a “back to nature” option. Many sites offer greenspaces with outdoor seating and Wi-Fi. As one coworking space puts it, coworkers can enjoy “outdoor spaces to get some vitamin D, breathe some fresh air, and still finish that spreadsheet by the deadline.” A Harvard Business Review article found that just glancing at nature boosts productivity!
Corporates on Vacation. Corporate workers are no stranger to coworking. Some 14% use coworking sites, many of them while on vacation. Here at My Space Downtown, we see lots of corporate workers who are on vacation in the Florida Panhandle but need a day or so to catch up on work.
Small Businesses. Many of our clientele run their own businesses, sometimes with multiple employees, but they find it cheaper to have a base at our coworking space rather than rent their own offices. In fact, one in 10 small businesses have a contract with a coworking space.
Who coworkers are NOT
While the list captures typical coworkers, there are many myths about coworkers that are not true. One is that coworkers simply graduated from cafes and libraries. Actually, 6 in 10 had worked at home and 2 in 10 had worked in traditional offices. Only 4% are reformed café workers!
Coworkers also are not at their coworking site every hour of every day. Two of three coworkers use a flexible desk that changes each time they visit. And, 60% of coworkers drop in three or four times a week.
Coworkers also are not society’s castaways who can’t make it in a traditional office. In fact, they’re a cut above traditional office workers. A whopping 75% have university degrees and 33% earn more than the average wage.
Time to give coworking a try
Given the variety of people who make coworking their preferred option, it may be time to give it a try and see if the arrangement fits your work style, personality and productivity needs. You’ll join others who come from a variety of backgrounds but find that coworking offers enough options to give them a more pleasing experience than their office or kitchen counter.