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Adeline Phua

Biotechnology Specialist

“The work we do for our clients have a direct and significant impact on their businesses. Clients rely on our analysis and consultation to get their patents granted and so each case and assignment that we undertake is no trivial task. It is especially gratifying to see some of the tough cases getting granted after a long fought battle with the Examiner.”
 

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

Language barrier aside, navigating through the extensive and rather confusing underground network in Osaka (especially Umeda) can be a challenge. Other than that, I did not encounter any major difficulties adjusting to life in Japan thanks to my kind and helpful co-workers.

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

While the interpretation of 'work-life balance' varies from one to another, I am quite surprised to find that, despite the seemingly intense work culture in this country, Japanese do really know how to enjoy their lives and to reward themselves, either with food or a wide range of outdoor activities or entertainment.

What were your three fondest experiences in Japan thus far?

i. Hiked up Mt. Rokko during spring. I found myself surrounded by caterpillars dangling from the trees, crawling on the ground; it was an unforgettable yet invigorating hike nonetheless.
ii. Paragliding in the sand dunes of Tottori was a surreal yet exhilarating experience.
iii. Open air onsen in Shirahama, Wakayama; nothing else could beat enjoying a dip in an open-air hotspring right next to the sea!

When I am not at work, I'm

travelling around Japan; sightseeing; and enjoying the expat life in Osaka. I particularly enjoy going to events/parties socializing and getting to know people from all walks of life, be it tourists or fellow expats.

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

I learnt that having self-confidence and a positive attitude at work is important especially helps one to focus on the task at hand and get one’s act together when work feels too overwhelming.

How would you describe your co-workers during your initial time at work?

I find my co-workers kind and helpful with my transitioning to the new job even though they were all really busy with their work. They are driven and take their job very seriously; I am constantly learning from them and am inspired by their drive and intellect.

What work skills and habits have you learned or improved from your time here thus far?

The learning experience in the past year has been really overwhelming and it could be oversimplifying to just name what I learned by "skills". If I were to name a few, my top picks would be "creative thinking" - as the everyday-problem solving requires one to think outside of the box; "versatility and resilience" - which I think are the key to get on top of the highly dynamic and challenging work environment; and "focus" - to ensure efficiency at work and quality of work product.

What are the challenging or difficult aspects of your work?

The job requires one to glean essential information from reviewing large amounts of documents in a short amount of time and to provide technical analysis and recommendations to the clients. Also, having to deal with unfamiliar inventions and technologies takes you out of your comfort zone and forces you to be quick learner and to think on your feet. The amount of workload can vary and can be unpredictable from day to day, so one must be flexible and quick to adapt to deal with the tight deadlines.

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

The work we do for our clients have a direct and significant impact on their businesses. Clients rely on our analysis and consultation to get their patents granted and so each case and assignment that we undertake is no trivial task. It is especially gratifying to see some of the tough cases getting granted after a long fought battle with the Examiner.

What advice would you give to entry level recruits?

When you are unsure of something, do not hesitate to ask any questions because that’s the quickest way to learn the ropes of the job! Basically, having the right mindset and flexibility to deal with the unexpected and fast paced job will help you to excel in whatever work environment you are in.

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