Meet Our Talent
Tara Utthangkorn
Accounting/eBilling Assistant
What were the most difficult aspects of adjusting to life in Japan initially?
Probably the weather since I arrived in Japan during winter time in 2011. It is never easy for someone from Southeast Asia to get used to the cold weather right on the first day. I had to use a lot of body lotion, something I did not do back in Thailand. Apart from that, it was all easy as there are many things to do and to see and you can get by with a few useful Japanese phrases and words. It almost impossible to get bored in Japan.
How was Japan in reality to what you had imagined before you arrived?
I grew up in a country where Japanese culture is the definition of POP culture. Nothing is really different from what I had imagined before I came to Japan. People here are polite, very friendly and work hard. What surprised me is how clean Japan is given its big population and how busy Japanese cities are, everywhere in Japan is very clean. I can say that Japan is probably the cleanest place I have been.
What has been your fondest experience in Japan?
I was invited by a Japanese family to have a Japanese style dinner with them. The food was tasty and it was also the first time I tried Sake. They treated me like I was part of their family. It was an amazing experience, especially for someone from a foreign country who doesn't speak Japanese like me.
When I was not at work, I was ...
traveling. I have traveled in various places such as Australia, the U.S., Europe and other East Asian countries. However, Japan is the easiest country to get around and this is because of its highly developed transportation systems. Trains and buses are almost always on time which makes it easy to make my traveling plans. I have been to Kobe, Kyoto, Nara, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Oita, Kagoshima, Nagano, Tokyo and many other places in Japan. I am planning to go to Hokkaido next and I am very excited about it.
What did you like most about your work?
Working here is not just about "getting things done", it is about doing your best at any tasks you are assigned. The best experiences I have had are due to the amazing clients and fantastic co-workers that I get to work with on a daily basis. We spend so much time together at work and after work, we become like family. The work environment brings the best out of me and made me realize that as long as I believe in myself, I can achieve anything.
What sort of work are you getting and is it challenging?
My work covers the operational and finance aspects of our Firm’s practice and it requires great attention to detail, rigorous follow-through and a good head for numbers. It is necessary to pick up and understand our clients’ various internal processes quickly and there are always time sensitive special projects with costing scheduling, budget forecasting, electronic filing, document drafting, vetting, proofing and account management.
I can definitely say that this is very challenging work. One needs to exercise a good degree of judgment, attention to detail and problem-solving skills. Our ultimate goal is to make our clients satisfied with a high quality of work. We work with our clients and assist them to obtain their intellectual property rights and every part of that process is valued and my work ensures that that value is captured.
What is the most important thing that working here has taught you about yourself?
I learned that I like to push myself beyond limits. You can always be better. The sky has no limit! Working here, I can truthfully say that I greatly enhanced my organizational and communication skills, both written and verbal. My time management skills improved tremendously and I am constantly amazed at my ever-expanding ability to prioritize and operate in a fast-paced environment.
What one piece of advice you would offer to incoming recruits?
Make sure to be ready and willing to learn new things every day. Work hard but you will not forget to have time/opportunities to enjoy yourself outside work.