ASB’s Women in Tech | Chat with Selochana Sasiharan

Selochana (Selo) Sasiharan, Chapter Lead for ASB’s transactional banking platform, shares her journey to New Zealand, embracing a new world of opportunity. Selo shares with us her transformative journey from the shores of Sri Lanka to New Zealand, where courage, determination and technology intertwine.

I grew up in a peaceful and closely knit part of the countryside, but it was distressing to witness the struggles my parents faced accessing medical care, often waiting for extended periods of time. We would stay in touch with our relatives through letters, even though they were only 200 kilometres away, which always made me emotional. The limited avenues and opportunities available outside our village motivated me to think about the need for better access to resources. 

This zeal made me research and learn more about innovation. I discovered the potential of technology through a book at the local library, which led to me stepping out of my comfort zone to pursue my dreams and ultimately, taking the difficult decision to leave my whānau for further study.

I connected with like-minded individuals and worked part-time to fund my degree in software engineering. My strong desire to explore beyond the norm pushed me to look for a country that offered better infrastructure, inclusive culture, technological advancements, and a safe society for women. I found all of these in New Zealand. 

I started my New Zealand career journey at a consulting firm specialising in software testing in Auckland. They helped me settle into life in Aotearoa by providing accommodation, a supportive buddy, and relocation assistance.

In my first week in Auckland, I ended up with a dead phone while exploring the city and approached a lady for help. Surprisingly, she agreed to help and offered to drop me to my accommodation. It was an unexpected and unforgettable gesture of kindness that reminded me of the generosity and hospitality that thrives in this country.

With the tech industry booming in NZ, I joined ASB as a Software Specialist, with this move having a profound impact on my life. ASB's commitment to personal and professional development was evident from the start, with mentorship initiatives, and opportunities to stay one step ahead in the ever-changing technology field. Within a year, I was promoted to Chapter Lead. I had the privilege of building technical expertise by shaping ASB's test automation journey and nurturing people's capabilities.

Thanks to the supportive culture at ASB, I was able to start a family. ASB gave me a new dimension to life as a new mum with their incredible support. My team regularly checked in on me and I was even surprised with a baby gift. Moreover, the opportunity to gradually transition back into work also encouraged other mothers like me to confidently return to the workforce, while keeping a healthy work-life balance. I truly appreciate the benefits at ASB, such as discounted healthcare and paid parental leave. It is a dream that now feels complete with my son Rian.  

Working at ASB has allowed me to embrace a fulfilling family life while also giving me the chance to make a meaningful difference, both to New Zealand and my community back in Sri Lanka. I have been able to connect to fellow immigrants from my community through job opportunities in New Zealand and provide support and accommodation. I volunteer my time to teach programming to children in Sri Lanka.

Together, we can build a community where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed, and through our collective efforts, we can bring about positive change for a brighter and more promising future.