Exciting automation – and learning French – make for a great career move

Quality Assurance Specialist Sumeetha Kasulabad made the move to Vanderlande in August 2023. Based in Quebec City, Canada, this Indian expat joined the company to take on the challenge of working in a new domain – logistics automation. She is also learning French, which is helping her settle into her new life, both professionally and personally.

Author

Sumeetha Kasulabad

Quality Assurance Specialist

I’ve been here just over one year and am really enjoying the job. As a Quality Assurance Specialist, my role is to test Vanderlande’s software applications, which are used in the logistics automation systems we supply to the airport, warehousing and parcel sectors. Specifically, I’m working in a team that is developing a cutting-edge product for the company’s baggage handling systems, which are used by airports around the world.

I chose to join Vanderlande because I’m fascinated by automation, and wanted a change after many years working in the healthcare and retail sectors in India and the USA. I had also recently completed my Master’s Degree in Quality Engineering at Concordia University in Montreal – so I was ready for a new challenge.

The 15-strong team includes people from Cameroon, Senegal, France and of course Canada. They have all helped me to settle in and have supported me to learn French, which is our first business language in the office. If I can’t follow anything, they are happy to switch to English. I’m getting better, and taking structured lessons that Vanderlande is providing, alongside a government programme.

Looking back, I’m proud of my decision to join the company. The HR team members have been particularly helpful. They are friendly and approachable, and took the initiative to provide all the information I needed about our internal processes.

This is also a place where managers actually listen to employees, and are enthusiastic about executing any of our good ideas. In addition, this is a working culture in which everyone is trusted to do their work, which builds confidence and encourages us to give our best.

We enjoy an open and collaborative environment that is built on team spirit. For example, when there is a lot of quality assurance testing to be done to a tight deadline, colleagues will jump in and help if they are not too busy. No one here says: “That’s not my job!”

Vanderlande is also a flexible employer that really understands the importance of my work-life balance. This is important to me, especially as my young daughter recently joined me from India. The company was particularly helpful by allowing her to join me at work on occasion before her schooling began.

I’m really happy here, and feel sure this is a place where I will continue to grow professionally. I’m confident that I can develop my career at Vanderlande, and hope to move into a managerial role.

For now, I’m delighted to keep learning about logistics automation, work in a great team and improve my French. We occasionally arrange a pot luck lunch, when everyone brings in food that reflects their country’s cuisine, and the wonderful diversity of working life here. I love cooking, and I have to say that my Indian delicacies are particularly popular with my colleagues!

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