Clifden Ayers

IP Assistant

“I learned that age, responsibility and talent are not always related. After leaving SY, I realized quite quickly that people my age back in America had not had the same experiences or level of responsibility I had become accustomed to. The lessons I learned and experiences I had are part of who I am today and I wouldn't trade them for anything. I learned that I was capable of doing much more than I had thought previously. This has given me a confidence in my abilities that has helped me in my life ever since.”

 

What was the most difficult aspect of adjusting to work in Japan?

For me personally, the hardest adjustment to working and living in Japan was balancing my work life and my limited personal time. It's important to make priorities for yourself and making the most of my free time was key. Once I learned to put the same amount of energy into my weekends as I did into my weeks, I found that I appreciated both even more and I would show up to work on Monday ready to work feeling like I hadn't wasted a moment of my time in Japan.

What has been your fondest experience in Japan?

Skiing in Hokkaido, whitewater rafting in Shikoku, going to the beach in Shirahama and the Danjiri festival in Kishiwada. The great thing about Osaka is that it is so close to so many outdoor activities, you would be crazy not to take advantage of them. Also, nothing beats a hot summer day in Osaka like sitting on a tatami mat floor drinking an ice cold Asahi. That is still one of my most relaxing memories.

When I was not at work, I was ...

Not at home. Kansai has so many great things to do, if you're sitting around your apartment waiting for life to come to you, you are wasting your time. Go hang out on the Dotonburi, go to Kyoto, go for a run around Osaka Castle, go get lost on some random train line because you read the sign wrong, it's all worth doing.

What did you like most about your work?

I liked that I was given as much responsibility as I could handle as soon as I was ready for it. SY was a place where you could make your own success as long as you strived hard for it. I will also never forget the friends I made. After I left SY and got married, half the guests at my wedding had flown in from all over the world to celebrate with my wife and I and they were friends I had made at SY.

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

I learned that age, responsibility and talent are not always related. After leaving SY, I realized quite quickly that people my age back in America had not had the same experiences or level of responsibility I had become accustomed to. The lessons I learned and experiences I had are part of who I am today and I wouldn't trade them for anything. I learned that I was capable of doing much more than I had thought previously. This has given me a confidence in my abilities that has helped me in my life ever since.

What one piece of advice you would offer to incoming recruits?

Hang in there. Starting out at SY will feel like you're drinking from a fire hose sometimes and the office can be very no-nonsense sometimes but nothing worth doing is ever easy. Pay attention to detail and make an honest effort and you'll be rewarded. This firm is a place of business and you need to take it seriously. Take advantage of your weekends and enjoy the experience of living in Japan. I assure you, you will miss it when you leave.