Software Engineer Balances Asia Living with US Work Hours
Clarence Koh, a 30-year-old software engineer residing in Singapore, has found a unique professional rhythm by aligning his work hours with those of his US-based company. This setup, which began during a remote overseas internship amidst the pandemic, allows him to balance the demands of his career with a flexible personal life, despite the challenges of a nocturnal schedule.
Navigating the Global Clock: A Singaporean Engineer's US Workday
Clarence Koh's journey into working US hours from Singapore began unexpectedly. While pursuing computer science at a Singaporean university, he enrolled in a year-long international work-and-study program designed to foster entrepreneurial spirit. The program initially intended for him to intern at a startup in Toronto, but the onset of the pandemic necessitated a remote completion of his internship from Singapore.
During this period, the startup he was interning for was acquired by a US company. Following his graduation, Koh reached out to his former manager and secured a full-time remote position with the acquiring firm. Initially, he attempted to blend Singaporean day hours with a partial night shift, but this proved inefficient due to delayed communication and workflow. Recognizing the need for better synchronization, he and his manager decided to fully shift his working hours to align with the US team's schedule.
Now, Koh's typical workday begins around noon in Singapore. He utilizes the quiet hours of the US night (Singapore afternoon) for focused, independent work. As the US team comes online, his evenings and nights are filled with meetings and collaborative tasks. His workday concludes around 5 AM Singapore time, after which he goes to bed. This arrangement means he takes a break in the late afternoon and early evening to engage in social activities, hobbies like dancing and reading, or spend time with his fiancée, a nurse whose fluctuating schedule benefits from his flexibility.
Beyond personal adaptability, this unconventional schedule has enabled Koh to pursue his passion for the outdoors. He frequently takes short weekend trips to nearby countries for hiking, seamlessly integrating these adventures with his work week upon his return. This level of autonomy and freedom would be unattainable with a conventional 9-to-5 job.
However, this lifestyle is not without its drawbacks. After three years, Koh admits that full adjustment to the nocturnal routine remains elusive. Sleeping during the day, particularly in Singapore's August heat, can be challenging. He consciously avoids air conditioning due to environmental concerns, sometimes leading to disrupted sleep. Weekends also pose a dilemma, as social events often occur on Saturday mornings, requiring him to temporarily shift his sleep patterns, which can then be difficult to readjust for the start of the work week.
Despite these trade-offs, Koh deeply values the flexibility and control over his time that this remote work model affords him. He acknowledges the increasing rarity of fully remote positions in the current job market. While he occasionally observes the crowded morning commutes of others with a degree of shock, he accepts the inherent difficulties of his schedule as a worthwhile compromise for the enhanced personal freedom and adaptability it provides.