Summary

An engineer and business planner reflects on their flexible work lifestyle, managing multiple jobs and online MBA studies, and discusses the pros and cons of this approach.

Abstract

The author, an engineer with a diverse professional background, discusses the concept of flexible work as an engineer, detailing their journey through various roles within a manufacturing company, including embedded software, project management, and corporate planning. The narrative touches on the decision to pursue both technology and business, leading to multiple job engagements and an online MBA. The author highlights the influence of societal changes, personal career uncertainties, and the COVID-19 pandemic in their pursuit of additional roles, including IoT engineering and project management. While acknowledging the financial and experiential benefits of having multiple jobs, the author also points out the challenges in time management and personal sacrifices made. The text concludes with the author's positive outlook on polywork and a recommendation for an AI service.

Opinions

The author values the diverse experiences gained from working in different departments and roles, considering them beneficial for future opportunities.
There is a belief that the traditional single-company, single-role career path is not suitable for everyone, with the author expressing a preference for concurrent roles across multiple departments or even outside the primary company.
The author sees polywork (multiple occupations) as a growing trend and a positive development in career dynamics, suggesting it will become more common and can help form a personal brand.
The decision to take on multiple jobs was influenced by a desire for career growth, financial motivation (to afford private schooling for children), and the opportunity to invest in self-development without hesitation.
Time management is a significant challenge with multiple jobs, often coming at the cost of personal time and hobbies, but the author has adapted by integrating study and work into various time slots throughout the week.
Despite the demanding schedule, the author finds refreshment in taking paid vacations and breaks between MBA terms to maintain a balance and avoid burnout.

Work | Personal Growth | Technology

The Flexible Way of Working as An Engineer

I can get two jobs and become an online MBA student.

While working as an engineer and business planner for a major manufacturer, I am also an online graduate school student. Furthermore, I am a sole proprietor and an IoT engineer.

I would like to talk about the “flexible way of working as an engineer” and “multiple jobs.” I would be happy if it would be helpful for those who want to think about their future career!

1. Flexible working style for engineers

After graduating from university, I got a job at a manufacturer, and after working as an embedded software engineer, I worked in electrical circuits and project management and worked remotely, I worked with corporate planning personnel, working on new business promotions and alliances, all while using my technical background. We are doing business development.

I have experience in various departments. Looking back, around my 30s, I started to feel unsure about my career. In my 20s, I was self-centered and determined to dig deeper into technology and develop my expertise.

After 5–6 years, I had gained some skills, but I had moved up to the top and felt like I was reaching my limits. During this time, I was asked to move overseas, and I was temporarily assigned to a different job at a sales company. At that time, it felt like my career was on hold.

After that, in my late 30s, I returned home, took on the liaison role with overseas partners, and was increasingly responsible for business-related tasks. In my late 30s, I started thinking, “Which should I pursue, technology or business?’’ I started having problems.

Looking back, I didn’t choose to carve out a career for myself. My policy was to throw myself in and try it if I was invited, so I was passive and moved from job to job one after another. I have been working flexibly.

Now, I’ve come to think that’s a good thing. What you experience in each department may come in handy later on. My background in technology and my overseas experience have allowed me to become a unique presence in my current workplace.

I have the most extended experience and am confident in myself as an engineer, and I am sure that I will continue to work flexibly without giving up in the future.

2. Background of why I started doing multiple jobs

A big reason is that times have changed. Online platforms have made it possible to get multiple jobs. I was able to connect with my current partner through them.

The second reason was that I was unsure about my career. I wanted to add more value by gaining experience in business and engineering, preferably outside the company.

The third trigger is the impact of the Coronavirus from 2020. Since I started working from home, I no longer had to commute and wanted to make the most of my free time.

In January 2021, I took the courage to apply for an online MBA course overseas, which I had been considering for many years. You must read a lot of material and complete four reports/papers each week. At first, I didn’t get used to it and was sleep-deprived every day, but as I gradually got employed to it, I could study more efficiently.

In June 2021, I was contacted by a tech startup through a matching service and decided to work as an IoT engineer. I am mainly responsible for building and operating the infrastructure for data analysis platforms on the cloud. Furthermore, in May 2022, I connected with a company I had contacted online, and although it was a small amount, I decided to undertake PM work for an IoT project.

3. Pros and cons of multiple jobs

The good point is the income aspect. It’s not just money, but it’s better to have it. I started looking for a second job when I wanted to send my children to a private junior high school. I was worried about the financial aspects of how much money I would have to spend, but by doing double work, my worries have decreased, and I have found peace of mind.

Another attractive feature is that you can use the money for self-development. Before I started this side job, I hesitated to buy technical books, PCs, cloud fees, etc., but now I think of it as an investment and can use it without hesitation.

Another good point is the synergy between your primary and side jobs. You can utilize the experience and knowledge gained from your second job in your main job and vice versa. The industry knowledge and skills you gain from working side-by-side are often helpful in your main job.

The downside is that time management is difficult. I wear four sandals, so I don’t have enough time. There will come a time when you will have to reduce your time.

I try to avoid having dinner with my family and going out on holidays, so I have almost no time for hobbies. Also, I used to look forward to drinking alcohol on the weekends, but I’ve stopped drinking alcohol altogether because it makes me sleepy.

My work time will increase, so I think choosing a job I don’t mind spending that time on and enjoying and immersing myself in would be good.

4. How to use your time

The main business hours are from 8:00 to 19:00 on weekdays. I study for my MBA for about 12 hours a week, setting aside four 2-hour periods on Saturdays and Sundays in the morning or the evening and then studying in my spare time, such as when traveling. Lately, that’s not enough, so I often do it late at night.

One of my dual jobs is about 10 hours a week. I work from 5–7 am or 10–12 pm, each slot takes about 2 hours, and I use 5 out of 10 slots on weekdays. The other one uses 3 slots for about 6 hours a week. Communication is done through Slack.

Constantly going through this cycle gets tiring, so I try to refresh myself by taking paid vacations from my day job or breaks between terms of my MBA.

Finally

Being in one company and doing one job under one boss doesn’t suit me. At my leading company, many employees work in two or more departments concurrently, and since my 30s, I have always worked in two or three departments. It’s just that it’s outside the company's scope, and I don’t feel uncomfortable with the term side job/double job.

Increasingly, people are forming projects and doing business without being confined to their organization. Furthermore, I believe that polywork (multi-occupation) will become more common. As I get older and participate in various projects and communities, I think the number of hashtags I use for myself will increase, and my brand will begin to form.

If you are hesitant about starting a second job, please take a new step forward. I’m sure you’ll see a different world.