The U.S. Census Bureau’s latest estimates reveal that the average one-way commute for workers in the United States is 27.6 minutes. That means that Americans in the workforce are spending nearly an hour of their day commuting to and from work. Commutes look differently for each person, depending on factors such as geographic location, weather, and accessibility of public transportation. Workers commute on foot, by bicycle, via a personal vehicle, and by public transit. Some co-workers carpool to save on gas expenses. In some locations, commutes involve a ferry ride each way. No matter how long a commute one has, that time can be spent in positive ways that help ensure a healthy mindset heading into (or away from) the workday. Effectively utilizing one’s commute is an important time management strategy.

5-10 Minute Commutes: A Chance for Meditation

For some hotel workers, the job commute is ten minutes or less. In these cases, not much can really be accomplished during that walk/drive/ride – right? Wrong. That amount of time is perfect for a moment of meditation or thoughtfulness. This might involve reflection on recent events or feelings or a look ahead to the workday and walk through the motions of what that will entail. For many, the preferred form of meditation involves thinking about nothing at all. No matter how you meditate, utilizing the job commute to do so is a great way to ensure you set your mind up to be able to focus on the tasks at hand.  

For those looking to meditate but prefer having guidance during those thoughts, there are many mobile apps (like Headspace) that offer guided mantras and meditation practice for listeners, making it a great option for those on public transportation or those equipped with headphones on a walking commute.

15-45 Minute Commutes: Connect with Loved Ones

For those with a bit longer of a commute, connecting with family or friends is a great way to keep those relationships strong – which is critical in maintaining one’s own positive mental health. Heading into work, it’s easy to focus solely on the tasks at hand that shift or worry about potential issues that might arise. Similarly, many workers spend their commute home reflecting back on the workday, ignoring other thoughts. Intentionally setting time during a commute for a phone call or even text conversation with those closest to us helps maintain that work-life balance we all strive for. Not all conversations last more than 15 minutes, and some extend far beyond 45. However, this is a solid amount of time to have meaningful conversations and both show and receive support from those we love.  

1+ Hour Commutes: Engage the Mind

Commutes lasting an hour or more may seem crazy to those from smaller communities or places with excellent public transportation. However, many workers in the U.S. spend over two hours daily traveling to and from work. For this subset of commuters, it’s smart to think about that time as a chance to grow or to learn. For those on public transit, reading is a common commute activity – either traditionally with books, newspapers, etc., or via mobile devices. Audiobooks are another popular option, especially for those who drive or walk to work. For commuters preferring more of a short-term listening commitment, podcasts might be preferred.

The options available via traditional books or online learning platforms for commuters to pick up new knowledge or skills are nearly limitless. Mobile applications like Duolingo offer interactive lessons users can access (many for free) to learn a new language. Video-sharing platforms like YouTube are other options for learning, as there are tutorials and informative videos available for nearly any topic imaginable.

Many hotel workers are concurrently enrolled in classes, either at the high school or postsecondary level. The journey to and from work for these people often involves preparing for lessons, studying for exams, or simply listening to relevant lectures or other resources to help them succeed in school.

Finding Hotel Job Opportunities in 2023

The hotel industry offers options for all types of workers, be those without any prior experience or workforce veterans. No matter where one is in their career journey, having access to a comprehensive database of job opportunities from which to search helps ensure they can make the best decision when it comes to their next employer and role.

That is where we come in. We strive to be the employer of choice for those in the hotel industry, and that begins with offering a tool for job seekers to easily find roles in their area that fit their needs in a potential position – including their commuting capabilities. Our jobs database allows users to filter by time commitment (part-time vs. full-time) as well.  

Once new employees come on board, we offer extensive and ongoing training to ensure they are successful in their new roles. That includes best practices training for industry newcomers. Leadership also offers opportunities for employees to grow into other roles or management responsibilities over time as well. The hotel industry is a place where dedicated employees can quickly advance their careers with the right combination of experience and acquired skills. All it takes is a five-minute search to find the right next step to reach that potential. What are you waiting for?