Meet Our Talent
Iris Zheng
Biotechnology Specialist
How was Japan in reality to what you had imagined before you arrived?
I actually have very high expectations of Japan, but the craziest part is that Japan manages to meet and even exceed all those expectations. Coming to Japan that I know exactly how meticulous and courteous the service is. The Japanese treat the world with heart. Everything is served with high quality and creative ingenuity. The spirit of craftsmanship is part of their culture.
How would you describe co-workers when you arrived?
They are intelligent and enthusiastic. My supervisors and seniors spend a lot of time and efforts to teach me patiently and they would like to share their experience with me. Working in a team, I can feel that everyone contributes talent and respects ideas from others. Workers in SY are brilliant and professional.
What were the initial difficulties of adjusting to life in Osaka?
The language barrier and adapting to the quick rhythm of modern work. It is not easy to merely rely on your English to survive in Japan, especially when you are ordering food in the restaurant; buying groceries in the store and getting lost on the street. Office workers wear suits and walk fast during the weekdays, and it is quiet in the train carriage, even when the train carriage is full of people. For people like me, who cannot speak Japanese and just starting out in my first job, we need time to adapt to new surroundings and learn how to balance the high-pace work and life.
Do you feel like you're having an impact directly on the clients that you work for?
Definitely. It is always a joy that I receive their thanks for my work and approval to my strategy. It makes me feel that obtaining client’s trust is worth the time and efforts，which encourages me to try my best to fight for their maximum benefit.
When I am not at work, I ...
really enjoy exploring cities, tasting different foods and shopping in Japan. The transportation is very convenient, and you have multiple choices to go from one city to another. Food here is very fresh and exquisite, and Japan has so many themed restaurants. Japanese designers have unique design philosophies, simple elegance and refinement in attitude and form.
What are the challenging or difficult aspects of your work?
The most challenging and difficult part of my work is to precisely and critically analyze cases in a limited timeframe, and provide our comments to clients’ questions in good speed and with high quality. It tests my specialized knowledge, all-round analytical ability and professional experience all the time.
I am looking forward to experience ...
wearing kimono during the next cherry blossom season. This is a Japanese experience I wish to enjoy as I have seen many photos and Japanese movies with women wearing kimono. As I’m in Japan now, I’m looking forward to have such experience and keep that photo as a good memory of Japan.
What is the most important thing that working at SY has taught you about yourself?
Working at the firm made me realize that teamwork needs everyone’s effort. One is no longer at university that you can only focus on yourself; but working as a team member, I realize that my work is closely related to others and I have responsibility for the whole team. All of these make me feel that I should be more helpful to others.
Can you describe a successful work assignment that was your proudest professional moment thus far?
One of my cases was related to a new therapy of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and is well known by people through ice bucket challenge and Dr. Stephen Hawking. Even though there is no treatment to cure this disease, I saw the greatly improved conditions of those ALS patients undergoing the new therapy. Now, after our efforts, this case is almost in a condition of allowance. I wish that after the invention is granted, the new therapy can access the market soon and bring more hope to ALS patients.
What advice would you give to entry level recruits?
Do not hesitate to ask questions since everyone in your team is trustful and helpful. Be calm and patient to your frustration at the beginning and believe that you can do better and better, as long as you try your best.
What three words describe the Firm best? First in English, then in your mother tongue?
Professional, dedicated, client paramountcy, 专业， 专注， 顾客至上.