Balancing Creativity and Tech at Dell Technologies: Joseph's Work-Life Insights

Joseph F. | Advisor, Project/Program Management | Singapore

Originally Published: December 11th, 2023

I am thrilled to have been asked to share my experience with work-life balance as a digitization project manager working at Dell Technologies in Singapore. What’s it like working at the Dell Technologies Singapore office? What sort of work-life balance can you expect as a programmer working in Singapore? Read on to find out... I want to start by saying that the work-life balance in my role is perfect. Before I explain why, I’ll first tell you more about my responsibilities at Dell: I manage the development of small pieces of software for internal teams, usually focused on automation and data analytics. This role involves a lot of coding, but it’s intrinsically a creative role where we routinely create solutions to never-before-solved problems.

Surprisingly, for a fast-paced tech firm, there’s a strong appreciation for the creative side of software development. While my delivery timelines must stay in tune with the beat of the wider business, I rarely feel that the pressure of deadlines prohibits the vital creative process inherent in software development. This is what enables me to do my very best work and to deliver solutions I’m genuinely proud of time-and-time-again.

The recognition of the need to spend time experimenting and prototyping at work is echoed in the organization’s appreciation of team members’ personal hobbies and interests. There’s a huge host of internal Dell schemes that you can get involved with to supplement your work life and nurture a well-rounded healthy lifestyle.

From company-wide walking challenges to local yoga classes, every month there’s a new physical or mental health habit that we can pick up alongside our 133,000 strong team members. On top of these burn-out busting schemes (that often offer cash prizes for completion) are the plethora of Employee Resource Groups (ERG). I personally run the Dell Singapore Rock Climbing Group where I arrange meetups and training sessions for my colleagues. Running the Dell Climbing group allows me to disconnect from work and recharge while still networking with my team-mates, and I’ve been thrilled to see the impact it’s had on my colleagues who have joined me at the climbing gym to destress after work.

Sometimes, however, internal work schemes don’t quite cut it, and we need to really get away from the office to feel recharged. This is where Dell’s flexible work culture comes into play! We are welcome to work flexibly with hours that suit our personal commitments, and we also have tons of flexibility when it comes to location - which I greatly appreciate as a European living in Asia, as I have just returned from a month working remotely at my family home in the UK!

We live in a world where data never sleeps, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't! Balance isn’t just about time—it’s also about mental space. The ability to disconnect, to spend time with loved ones, engage in hobbies, or simply rest. As a Data Scientist at Dell Technologies, I've been fortunate enough to be part of a team that values both hard work and well-being. Work-life balance is not just about productivity—it’s about happiness, fulfillment, and being able to bring our best selves to what we do. To all my fellow data scientists and developers out there—remember that it's okay to step away from the data and recharge. Our work is important, but so is our well-being.

Learn more about life at Dell by visiting Our Stories.