Hanoi-born Thuy started her Gengo journey as a senior translator in our English to Vietnamese language pair, and is now on her way to becoming a full-time operations analyst on our translator team, who is more involved in day-to-day business operations.  Working at Gengo provides valuable learning opportunities, and she tackles each challenge she faces with an open mind and a cheerful disposition.

Nationality:  Vietnam
Hometown:  Hanoi
Languages:  Vietnamese, English, Japanese (Basic)
Education:  BA in Business (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore), MA in Media Design (Keio University, Japan)

Where have you lived before, and what were your previous roles?

I studied at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore for three years then worked at Samsung for two years as a Treasury Analyst in the Treasury Department.

After graduation, I moved to Japan because I always thought it would be a great place to live. My husband (then-boyfriend) was based in Tokyo, too. I pursued a master’s for two years and worked part-time at NHK World Radio Japan as an English to Vietnamese translator and announcer.

How would you describe living and working in Tokyo?

I fell in love with Tokyo because it’s a wonderful city with a rich culture, an abundance of good food and gracious locals. It can get too fast-paced and crowded at times, but I live in Kanagawa Prefecture on the outskirts of the city, where I can immerse myself in nature, breathe fresh air and take a walk along the canal.

Most employees in Japanese companies are required to work overtime, but at Gengo, we have a more Western work culture and I’m grateful the company values a good work-life balance.

How long have you worked at Gengo?

I’ve worked part-time as a senior translator for one and half years and as an operations analyst for three months.

What drew you to the company?

When I was looking for freelance opportunities in Tokyo, Gengo was at the top of the search results.  Just by browsing the website, my first impression was that the company was modern and innovative, so I decided to apply for the senior translator position. I believe the passionate, young and dynamic spirit represented by the company also matches my personality.

What do you most enjoy about your role?

My current role in the operations team requires logical thinking when analyzing day-to-day data to ensure translation efficiency, system performance and speed.  I enjoy using my analytical skills and I can also apply what I’ve learned from my experiences as a senior translator. Combining these two distinctive roles is mentally stimulating and keeps me on my toes.

What have been some of your challenges, and how have you overcome them?

As an operations analyst, I have to juggle different tasks, such as promptly addressing issues and foreseeing potential problems to ensure everything runs smoothly every day. Processes are always being updated so I also need to keep up and learn how the company’s systems work. Data analysis also involves a deep understanding of operations and data collection using technical jargon. Conveying messages in layman terms can sometimes be tough.

How has Gengo changed since you started working here?

Gengo is a very technology-driven company. Each department is always working together to improve the company’s systems and streamline the processes. For example, automated payments have been rolled out and Gengo has implemented initiatives like translation memory and glossaries for translators to enhance the translation process.

Because the company is constantly innovating and expanding, I believe there’s a bright future ahead and we’re going in the right direction.

What do you think makes Gengo a great place to work?

I love the “United Nations” vibe in the office. There’s rarely a dull moment when you’re working with people from different nationalities every day. Working here also helped me improve my communication skills and English proficiency.

Secondly, everyone is a team player but can also work independently.  Each employee has to be fully responsible and accountable for their own work and handle tasks on their own. It’s fulfilling because I can learn a lot from my peers and improve my skills, such as communicating effectively and coordinating with other departments.

Finally, Gengo provides job opportunities for people in developing countries. Coming from Vietnam, that means a lot to me and I’m glad to be a part of a company that’s making a difference globally.

What do you do in your spare time?  

I’ve been learning Japanese and also read online content in Vietnamese to maintain my native-language proficiency. I sometimes join my fellow Gengons to play sports after work. We play futsal at Yoyogi Park or go bouldering in Akihabara to stay healthy and unwind after a hectic day.

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