This Australia Post Manager joined a nonprofit to help refugees find jobs. Here’s her top career advice

Like many of us, Shamista Selvarajah had dreams of what she wanted to be when she became an adult. “I always enjoyed science growing up, so it seemed like a natural fit,” she said. However, despite her years of study, Shamista found the reality of a career in science was difficult. And whilst being a scientist sounds enticing, there was a distinct lack of job security with high levels of stress to secure grants to keep the job and projects going. In time, Shamista began to contemplate a career change.

“I started looking at other career opportunities where I could use my problem-solving skills and came across the Australia Post Graduate Program,” she said. Soon after, she made the difficult decision to leave her science career behind and apply for a role in our program. Since being accepted, she hasn’t looked back.

“I had such a fantastic team during my Network Operations rotation. There was so much opportunity and I really noticed how my confidence and business skills developed with the support.”

Six years on and she now works as a Scanning and Tracking Improvement Manager in Network Operations. “I’m particularly proud to now be in a leadership position and to have the support of two fantastic female leaders, Caroline Good and Belinda Chiswell,” she said.

Helping to build careers from the ground up

For Shamista, coming to Australia from Sri Lanka as a child, she didn’t think such success in a corporate career was a possibility for her. “My friends and I from university, who were also born overseas, are all in professional careers that we didn’t think were achievable because of our backgrounds.”

It was from there that Briks (which, stands for ‘Bridge for Refugee Immigrant Kids’) was born. Shamista jumped at the chance to join the nonprofit her like-minded friends from university started.

“My friends decided to start a not-for-profit to connect refugees or recently migrated students with professions that may seem out of reach for them. We give them mentoring, help them find work experience, and teach them things like interview skills. We had a pilot student placement in 2022 and we are now taking on four students in April.”

Shamista’s top tip for women in business

As for her advice to women looking to move into a professional operations career, Shamista says it’s all about asking. “There are so many great women in leadership positions in Network Operations, just reach out to them and have a chat.”

To encourage these conversations, the team at Australia Post created ProjectMe—a personal and career development program designed specifically to help inspire, energise and connect our women across our business. This program gives women the opportunity to develop themselves, grow their confidence, networks and put their hand up for opportunities where they may have previously not felt they could.

Over seven weeks, participants undertake learning through videos, workbooks, homework and discussion in group mentoring sessions facilitated by an Australia Post Group mentor. The group mentoring sessions provide an opportunity to connect with women and mentors from other roles and business areas that participants may not usually have exposure to.

Jessica Willcocks, a participant in ProjectMe, joined the program to build a larger network of support and connect with women across Australia Post.

“ProjectMe has really helped empower me to reach out to other women within the business. I think it’s vital to have a network of people that understand your challenges and can help you navigate through them,” said Jess.

ProjectMe is now in its eighth year and has seen over 1,200 women participate and learn about topics such as understanding strengths; moving past negative thoughts; managing stress and energy; connecting with others; planning for the future and making changes that stick.