Ana Theressa Singcol

Attorney

“The firm has taught me to take pride in work that is well researched and done well. It has also taught me resilience and no matter how difficult a problem first appears you can always break it down to find a solution.”

 

What three verbs best define your experience in Japan thus far?

Learn. Explore. Solve.

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

Japan is more than what I expected. It has an intense and very professional work culture but the Japanese know how to relax as well. There are so many places to visit and explore around Japan. As Osaka is the food mecca of Japan, it is the best place to have a gastronomic adventure.

What were the initial difficulties of adjusting to life in Japan?

The language was an initial barrier for me. Navigating the train system was also a challenge. I kept getting lost around Osaka. But the Japanese people and my co-workers were very helpful. I was able to overcome these challenges after a month of staying in Osaka and I discovered new places each time I got lost.

What have been your 3 fondest experiences in Japan?

My fondest experience is paragliding at the Tottori sand dunes. I am afraid of heights but paragliding has helped me conquer my fear. Flying on my own and looking over the Sea of Japan was an exhilarating experience. I also like snowboarding in Hokkaido. Since I am from a tropical country, snowboarding was a new experience for me.

I am looking forward

to traveling to more places around Japan. There is so much more to see and explore. I also love ramen and each prefecture has their own version of ramen. I look forward to trying each one and exploring the different areas as well.

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

When I started, my co-workers are very helpful in my transition to Osaka. They were able to guide me through the daily grind and how to do my work well. Learning something new is always challenging. However, working and learning from my co-workers, who are very much dedicated to their jobs, eased the transition.

What are the challenging or difficult aspects of your work?

The most challenging aspect of the work for me is not being able to research from the primary Japanese language materials. However, there are other materials in English. You just have to research and discuss and my co-workers are also helpful in this regard.

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

The firm has taught me to take pride in work that is well researched and done well. It has also taught me resilience and no matter how difficult a problem first appears you can always break it down to find a solution. I do not know which one is the most important lesson but these were the essential lessons I have learned in SY.

Could you share a story from your time with SY that exemplifies our work culture in action?

We had a project which involves enforcing the client's intellectual property rights in Japan. That team had to be thorough and detail-oriented in reviewing and preparing the agreements even if there was a time restriction in implementing the project.

How do you feel your job makes a difference for the Firm's clients?

I feel that we are able to do our job when the client appreciates the effort and analysis we have provided in the case. It is also fulfilling if we are able to see a case go from application to registration with the strategy we have provided to the client.

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

The work culture is very diverse as each one comes from a different background. As such, I get to see different points of view in trying to find a solution to a problem. The firm also has diverse clients from around the world. We get to assist each client in registering or enforcing their intellectual property rights in Japan and overseas which is interesting and challenging.

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

I have learned to be more thorough and to be more detail-oriented with my work. I have also learned how to manage my time well and deal with deadlines. My co-workers have taught me to be prompt and to be mindful about another person's time.

I would tell someone just starting their career here at SY that ...

you just have to persevere with the challenges given to you. The learning curve is very steep when you start but once you adjust and learn how to handle the ropes you will be able to cope well. Just don't give up when it's difficult. Appreciate instead the challenge as you are learning something new.