THILAKA WEERASOORIYA

Thilaka's extraordinary journey from Sri Lanka to Australia is a story of her passion and determination to achieve what she wants from life.

Thilaka migrated to Australia in 2009 on a skilled migrant visa with her husband. They stayed with Thilaka's uncle on their arrival until her husband found his first job and they were able to afford their own place to live.

Thilaka has a Bachelor degree in Management Information Systems and a Postgraduate Diploma in Distance Education; she had worked as a lecturer in Information Technology at the University of Moratuwa in Sri Lanka. Yet Thilaka was finding it hard to get a job in Australia. The Global Financial Crisis was in full effect and due to cutbacks and hiring freezes, she was being turned down for jobs that she was more than capable of doing.

So Thilaka decided to take matters into her own hands and enrolled for the Skillmax course run by NSW AMES (part of the NSW Department of Education and Training). The Skillmax course is designed to help develop job search strategies for the Australian employment market, specifically aimed at skilled migrants. The course helps people to understand the workplace culture and trends in the Australian market as well as provide practical job interview skills and resume preparation advice.

Thilaka was motivated by the course and was ready to apply for positions in her field. Through the Skillmax course she was introduced to Dress for Success who provided her with a set of business clothes to enable her to feel confident that she was making the right impression at interviews. “I was able to receive a very good business suit, shoes, handbag and jewelry to attend interviews”. They also showed Thilaka how to dress for work in Australia that was of great value to her, this demonstrates the level of commitment Dress for Success shows not only by providing professional attire but supporting women in their career development.

At the time, Thilaka felt indebted to Dress for Success so offered her assistance to help them in any way she could. She assisted with the official launch of the organisation and spoke at one of their fundraising events, at which she was able to network with many inspiring people that raised her confidence levels.

One day Megan from Dress for Success called Thilaka and asked if she would like to appear in a TEN news segment for Dress for Success.

Thilaka was thrilled to be helping in any way she could, so she went along and spoke to TEN's TV crew about how Dress for Success had been supportive of her.

Watch Thilaka's TV appearance

Off the back of this appearance on the TV, NSW AMES approached Thilaka to ask if she would also appear in a promotional video for the Skillmax course, click here to view the video.

Whilst all this media attention was giving Thilaka a well earned boost to her confidence, she was volunteering as an IT teacher at Manly Warringah Community College where she was receiving great feedback from the pupils as well. The management team recommended Thilaka to a paid casual position at Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Community College, nearer to where she lived. When she informed Dress for Success of her new position they told her to come back in for a new set of work clothes.

Thilaka applied for an IT teacher position with Corrective Services NSW and was able to meet with some people from the organisation at a Dress for Success event before her interview. Although Thilaka was unsuccessful on this occasion, due to insufficient Australian experience, she was undeterred and forged ahead with gathering as much experience as she could so she could one day apply again.

So Thilaka embarked on a six month course and completed a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment as well as working at the college, volunteering for the National Trust of Australia for a short time and working for Australia Post as a postal services officer. There is no doubt that this lady's determination to succeed was driving her very firmly towards her goals.

Nearly one year on from her last interview with Corrective Services NSW, Thilaka applied for another IT teacher position and was successful.

A true testament to her dedication. She now has a permanent part time position with Corrective Services NSW as well as continuing her teaching at the Community College some weekends. “I absolutely love my job and it gives me 100% satisfaction. It is a pleasure to help people who need help”.

Thilaka is still also closely involved with Dress for Success and is happy that she has recently been able to make some donations back to them. A small donation for their fundraising appeal as well as some business clothes. She regularly attends their events too so that she can meet and be inspired by other successful women.

Thilaka is really pleased to see the growth of Dress for Success over the past few years and has a personal message to all of those that have supported her along the way:

“I would like to thank all the people who have helped me in many ways to be what I am today, from the bottom of my heart. I will never forget their help. Special thanks goes to my Skillmax teacher Judith Power who introduced me to Dress for Success, Di, Megan and all the members of Dress for Success”.

« Return to case studies