Amanda Alnor

Legal Assistant

“The most important thing that working at the Firm has taught me is that while working at SY, I've learned to trust in my own capabilities. As long as I keep trying, I can figure out the solution to almost any problem I encounter.”

 

How was Osaka in reality to what you had imagined before you arrived?

I used to live in the rural Tohoku region of Japan, and I had visited Tokyo many times. I was familiar with eastern Japan so I didn't expect that Osaka would have such a different vibe. It's definitely more laid-back and has its own unique and lively atmosphere.

How would you describe your co-workers?

They are tirelessly dedicated to their work and have endless energy to work long hours. I am impressed that the foreign and Japanese staff work seamlessly together despite having different native languages.

Do you feel like you're having an impact directly on the clients that you work for?

Yes. I do my best to think of the clients' needs and perspective. When doing my reporting, I am careful to watch out for details that are important to the client.

What is the most important thing that working at the Firm has taught you about yourself?

While working at SY, I've learned to trust in my own capabilities. As long as I keep trying, I can figure out the solution to almost any problem I encounter.

What is the best thing about being a part of a global team?

Because we all come from different cultures, communication is more direct rather than assumed, and we all bring different perspectives to the tasks at hand.

When I am not at work, I am

reading, writing, drawing, or studying Japanese.

What are the challenging aspects of your work?

It's important to multitask and meet tight deadlines without allowing the quality of work to be compromised. There is also a steep learning curve and an influx of new information to process during the first few months.

What is your most treasured possession that you've obtained during your stay in Japan thus far and why?

My kyudo (Japanese archery) uniform. When I began playing this sport, I felt a sense of belonging in Japan.

I am looking forward to

traveling to different regions of Japan and seeing historical sites.

Of all the adjectives floating in your brain, give us three that best describe your working life at SY?

Fast-paced, intensive, educational.

What advice would you give a potential new colleague?

You will make mistakes at first, but don't let this discourage you. With enough time and hard work, you will learn to meet the level of efficiency our clients come to expect from us.