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Maggie B

983

Business and Data Analysis Consultant

05/24/19 at 2:57PM UTC

Consulting

What to Carry

I started a new role at a consulting firm this week (yay!) and also started at the client site as well (yay!) and already love it! (the yay! hat trick!) I have run in to a weird commuter complication, though! I have a desk at the home office of my consulting group, and a desk at the client site. It looks like I'll be splitting my time between the two, bringing my laptop with me. I've looked up a few articles on what to bring to coworking spaces, and I ordered a new backpack for the occasion since my current bag has proven to be insufficient. For those of you who travel between desks or work in shared spaces, what do you make sure to have with you to ensure you can get your work done, and also that you feel that whatever space you're in is home, even if just for that day?

Join the conversation...

Lorelei Yang

648

Wonky consultant with a passion for words

06/19/19 at 5:58PM UTC

Laptop, charger, phone charger, pad of paper, pens (in the plural because they always seem to wander away when I need them the most), headphones, a change of shoes and a jacket for variable indoor temperatures

Jemia Williams

452

DEI Practitioner | Social Media | Writer

06/03/19 at 6:45PM UTC

I have a travel bag & an office bag that as everything that I need in both of them. All I have to do is add my laptop & charger in each of those bags and I am good to go. This helps and saves me time when I am either in the air/train or when I am going to the office.

Nancy McSharry Jensen

204

CEO of The Swing Shift. Badass mother of two.

05/29/19 at 4:55PM UTC

Minimalist here. 1 tech setup: Power supply, HDMI connector, dongle (as needed), small high quality headphones, external charger. 1 analog setup: pen, pencil, highlighter, post-its. Stow in a 2 mesh pencil packs.

cmst3

183

Travel PFS consultant.

05/29/19 at 3:39AM UTC

Been a traveling consultant for 25+ years so congrats on your new journey! I usually have mini stapler , tape, white out, usual pens, small scissor, highlighter, small water bottle, set of silverware- yes, I'm weird, but I hate plastic & try to be environmentally conscious wherever I go. As above- aspirin, toothbrush/paste, leave a cup & battery charger in both locations but carry cord with me. Have to have a mouse- small one packs well. I have large purse so carry small notebook in it, energy bar & a scarf. Depending on your gig- try keep set each location so not constantly traveling w/everything. ** Wheeled bag is best. Duffel holds more but back pack is more flexible.

Anonymous

05/31/19 at 6:56PM UTC

This is great advice. I'm a travelling DM, and have the same issues. So far, I've embraced everything except the rolling bag.

cynthiafjordan

05/29/19 at 2:57AM UTC

My favorite item to bring when I'm at a co-working space is my wireless mouse. It's amazing how much of a game changer it is! I just use a notebook as my mouse pad.

Anonymous

05/28/19 at 5:22PM UTC

A spare charger, a blazer that matches most of your outfits and can double as an extra layer in case you're cold, and a way to entertain yourself while traveling (I carry my Kindle because I'm a big reader).

Anonymous

05/28/19 at 5:19PM UTC

To make my desk a little more "Home-y" I bought a cheap $8 plant! Always have my phone charger because nothing is worse than commuting with a dead phone.

Kimberly Mc

613

IT Engineering Manager, DoD

05/28/19 at 4:43PM UTC

I have a related question, if I may - what bag are you all using for this? I don't have to cart a laptop to-and-fro very often, but I have a couple of folders, notebook, lunch, water bottle, etc that I carry with me every day and my current bag is on its last good legs. I'm in the market for something utilitarian, lightweight, and I wouldn't mind if it were cute.

Maggie B

983

Business and Data Analysis Consultant

05/28/19 at 5:03PM UTC

I scoured Amazon for a couple of weeks, and landed on this backpack. Amazingly, it fits WAY MORE STUFF than my briefcase! I've got my laptop in there, a cable organizer with my portable battery, nice headphones, Brene Brown's "Dare to Lead," a shawl, laptop power cable, and the front pocket is dedicated to snacks. Admittedly, I also carry a medium sized purse. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L83N78Q/

Anonymous

05/28/19 at 4:12PM UTC

I'd also suggest a bag with wheels. When I was in a similar job, I switched over from a standard backpack and had no clue how much I would LOVE having a small roller bag! It makes the travel so much easier.

Maggie B

983

Business and Data Analysis Consultant

05/28/19 at 5PM UTC

I switched from a briefcase/tote to a backpack over the weekend and it's a WORLD of difference! I think if I start traveling more broadly or need to carry more, I'll likely get a wheelie bag. I scoped out a few at Costco already!