Schizophrenia sufferer thriving in role after applying for 500 jobs

When Kalaranji Maheswaran made the courageous decision to migrate from Sri Lanka in 2002 she hoped to continue using her skills as a management consultant. She now thrives in her work after applying for 500 jobs.

When Kalaranji Maheswaran made the courageous decision to migrate from Sri Lanka in 2002 she hoped to continue using her skills as a management consultant.

However, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia not long after moving to Australia and has found it tough finding work.

Most recently, the Hornsby resident applied for more than 500 jobs before being given a voluntary position at Smith and Young Public Accountants in Hornsby in August 2017, with help from WISE Employment.

The 58-year-old is now being paid for her work and is thriving in her role.

Kalaranji Maheswaran had a tough time finding work before landing a job at her current workplace. Picture: Jordan Shields

“I am most grateful,” Ms Maheswaran said. “I started as a volunteer and I’m basically a book keeper, looking after the financial records.”

Ms Maheswaran said her mental illness meant she enjoyed working in quiet spaces and it was a great fit at the accountancy firm. Her boss Birukawit Zekarias has trained her up well to use the software and look after the invoice records.

“I have some reservations about how well I can do with my disability but despite that I look forward to coming to work each Wednesday.”

Ms Maheswaran said she looks forward to coming to work each Wednesday at the accountancy firm.

The softly spoken employee said she also enjoyed learning more about accounting in her free time, either at home or at the library.

Her boss, herself a migrant from Ethiopia, spoke highly of Ms Maheswaran who she employs one day a week.

“One thing that I really like about her is she is always willing to learn and she is very focused.”

Ms Zekarias said she encouraged other employers to take on someone with a disability.

“Unfortunately, we can be a bit prejudicial, I think.

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“If someone, he has some disability, we say ‘I am not going to bother’.

“But you never know what you can tap into so it is important to be open minded for all cultures across all spectra,” she said.

“There are many people that if you give them the opportunity they have the capacity to really contribute to society.

“It is about believing in them and giving them that chance.”

She said she would like to give her employee more work but only had enough to offer her one day a week at present.

A report by WISE Employment revealed that almost half of their job seekers believe employers still avoid taking on a diverse workforce.