Meet Our Talent
Samuel Wu
Computer/EE Tech Specialist
What was the most difficult aspect of adjusting to work and life in Japan?
Expectedly, the language barrier was one of the most difficult problems I faced while living in Osaka (don't expect the people on the streets to speak/understand English, they probably don't). Fortunately, the level of English in the office is exceptional and not an issue whatsoever. Also, there will always be helpful people from the office to offer a hand in this regard so it is not a big concern.
Work-wise, I found the pace of work to be the hardest aspect to adapt to. Compared to other workplaces in Canada I have worked in, in which the pace could be generously described as lethargic, the work pace at SHUSAKU YAMAMOTO was quite frenetic. Rest assured however that new staff will not be thrown into the fire at the onset, and there will be a gradual curve to let you adapt to it. While it sounds daunting at first, it is something that most learn to embrace and find rewarding at the end.
How was Japan in reality to what you had imagined before you arrived?
Having been exposed to Japanese culture a bit beforehand I would have imagined Japan to be a place associated with the following words: hard-working, crowded, polite, clean, beautiful, fashionable and quirky. Turns out that Japan was actually not so different from what I had imagined!
What has been your fondest experience in Japan?
I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the traditional Japanese activities that take place throughout the year. Ones that stand out include sitting under the sakura for a hanami party, seeing the streets crowded with people wearing kimonos and yukatas at a matsuri festival and watching a "live" sumo match. Other subtle experiences I cherished were singing karaoke in the land of its origin, eating a bowl of ramen at a stand-up ramen shop and sharing a kotatsu with 4 (or more) people.
What sort of work did you get and was it challenging?
As a technical specialist, common day-to-day activities include providing technical and legal analysis on how to obtain a patent and responding to inquiries from the firm's clients. I was also lucky enough to be involved with a team responsible for working on patent disputes between two parties (no, not Samsung and Apple).
Whether it be high stakes lawsuits or checking the language of a patent claim, the work is always challenging, rarely offering the same problem twice. As a result, I feel it teaches you to develop solutions, rather than memorize answers.
What did you like most about working?
I enjoyed the variety of work and it is a great feeling to be learning something new every day you are at the office. I strongly believe that no other firm can give the same kind of exposure to this field that SHUSAKU YAMAMOTO can. After my tenure, I cannot be more satisfied with the toolset and knowledge I gained from working here and found that these skills are highly regarded by other firms in the field as well.
What is the most important thing that working at SY has taught you about yourself?
As you may gather from my testimonial and those from other alumni, working at SY is very demanding and a good test to see whether you are suitable for this field. For me, I learnt that I can thrive here and believe that there are several key qualities in achieving success in this field: perseverance (I can solve difficult problems), adaptability (I can solve different problems), and innovation (I can solve new problems). Anyone with an open mind and maximizes their time at SY will surely gain these qualities.
What advice would you give to new recruits?
In the office, do not be afraid to ask questions and use the knowledge of people around you. Chances are that if you have a question, someone else in the office has asked the same exact thing before. There are many talented people working at the office with numerous years of experience, so do not hesitate to glean that information from them. Sure, sometimes you will get some grief if you catch someone on a bad day (and there will be more than a few), but you will be surprised at how the input from senior members of the firm can simplify some of the hardest problems you will face. Also, do not fall asleep while watching the videos. Someone will catch you and will have photographic evidence. Out of the office, go nuts – but nothing illegal - you're living in Japan!