Hello! My name is Asmita and I’m so honoured to be part of the first cohort of the Expedition – Women in Leadership Program at Scotiabank. I have a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science and recently graduated from McMaster University – DeGroote School of Business with an MBA in April 2021. With over five years of experience in diverse roles and industries such as information technology, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and banking, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to kick start my career with Scotiabank!
I heard about the launch of the Expedition program when I first started my job search in the early fall of 2020. Scotiabank had always been a company that I wanted to work for as I had heard many stories about the diverse culture and the ways the company provides its employees with career development opportunities. The Expedition Program checked all of my boxes and was exactly what I was looking for! A 2-year program with the opportunity to rotate across three unique business lines, a development plan focused and tailored to my development, and exposure to senior leadership through several mentorship and networking opportunities to accelerate my career.
For my first rotation, I joined the Tangerine team as a Sr. Manager of Strategy and Change Management. I was keen to join the amazing team at Tangerine as I have always been passionate about strategy and technology. Starting at Tangerine – the number one digital bank of Canada – only seemed fitting. In the last six months, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with the leadership team to learn and contribute to strategic priorities and projects within the bank. This role has given me a unique opportunity to work with cross-functional teams across the bank, lead end-to-end projects, collaborate and influence key stakeholders, and develop a strategic mindset and forward-thinking approach.
Looking back at my first day, I had no idea of the amazing journey ahead of me. I am so grateful to have met so many remarkable people who have welcomed me with open arms and supported me through this journey. My favorite thing about working in Scotiabank is the people and the culture. Being six months in and hopefully years to go, I can proudly say that Scotiabank has been the best decision of my career!
My advice to students would be what I learned on my very first day – Have a Great Attitude, take Ownership, and say yes to Opportunities. AOO really resonated with me, and I live by it every day! It is essential to stay curious, optimistic, and have a growth mindset. Take ownership of your work but ask for help when needed, accept challenges, and embrace change and new opportunities. Finally, enjoy the journey! Because as it’s said - “It’s good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end” – Ernest Hemingway.
Interested in learning more about our Expedition program and how to apply? Click here!
