Jasmine Amohia
Microservices Software Engineer, Air New Zealand
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Software Engineering (First Class)
Aviation is an everlastingly interesting industry, says Jasmine Amohia who studied software engineering and is now part of Air New Zealand’s popular digital graduate programme.
“It’s fascinating how airlines have managed to digitise processes that would never have crossed my mind. For example, the area of work I’m currently onboarded to handles the part of the booking process which finds flight routes between an origin and destination, and the seats available on those flights; using mostly Java.”
While she is still in the early stages of her career, Jasmine is proud of managing to seize opportunities while being able to uplift others to do the same.
“This is an extremely saturated and competitive field, especially in New Zealand’s current political and economic climate, so you do have to fend for yourself. But I know it’s not in my nature to leave people behind. I’ve been very blessed to have multiple internships, and to have shared advice and connections which have led to others getting jobs. It’s one of the reasons I love working for Air New Zealand – the company’s commitment to its values, culture and people is very real, and very noticeable.”
Finding her path
Jasmine says she first discovered her love for software engineering and computer science in Year 5 when she and a friend discovered an easy-to-use website builder, which they soon used to showcase their self-made comics and create a social network for their friends. This experience sparked her interest in technology, and she eventually enrolled in AUT’s Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Software Engineering. It’s a decision she hasn’t regretted.
“I’m from Wellington but I didn’t want to study in my home city, and I was attracted by AUT’s smaller class sizes, hands-on approach and its care for students as people. I loved living in AUT student accommodation and made so many core memories with beautiful people there. I’m also so appreciative of the friends I made in the first year of my engineering degree – it gets harder to make substantial friendships after your first year as your classes get mixed with students from different degrees and different stages.
“My degree has taught me a lot, including time management, communication, collaboration, independence, opportunity harnessing and the importance of building networks. These skills have changed my life and opened so many doors.”
She also still has fond memories of a few of the staff she met throughout her time at AUT.
“Dr Mali Senapathi was the course leader for Database System Design, which I took in the first semester of my second year. Mali kindly let me come on as a teaching assistant from the second semester for the remainder of my degree. I loved the content, meeting and helping people, and I learned very valuable skills through her kindness of this opportunity. Professor Peter Chong was my final-year project supervisor. He was encouraging, resourceful, and I could genuinely feel that he wanted me to succeed. Dr Matthew Kuo ran the Software Development Project course. I honestly performed very averagely in this, but the learnings from this course, and the group work were the most practical to me in job interviews and while working in the industry. He’s also just a very cool guy.”
Advice for other students
Jasmine – who graduated from AUT at the end of 2024 and whose studies were supported by a Kiwa scholarship, a Catalyst Open Source Scholarship and a Daniel Karehana Memorial Scholarship – has some great advice for other students.
“Be mindful and show gratitude. Education should be a human right, but in this world it’s a privilege. You’re surrounded by likeminded people, amazing resources and passionate teachers. Don’t waste your own and others’ time; make yourself proud.”
Make the most of your time at university, she adds.
“Wherever possible, appreciate the present because time passes so quickly here.”
