Just Go with the Flow, and You’ll Find Your place!
“I have always been a people person”, said Nirisha Manandhar with a soft smile as she shared about her transitional journey from coding algorithms to decoding emotions.
Nirisha Manadar, Founder and Campaign Lead of Safer-I and an AI Engineer, is the first generation in her family to graduate. Growing up, she placed a high priority on her studies.. Despite her desire to become a teacher, she was the smart kid who thought she would inevitably become either a doctor or an engineer. Reflecting on her journey, Nirisha explains, “I wasn’t particularly tech-savvy, but among the options I had, I found coding fun, so I chose computer engineering.”, she elaborates on how she simply followed what felt right without setting a specific aim.
She really values mentorship, seeing how it’s helped her along the way. She started as an intern at Karkhana, where she learned a lot about being professional with the help of her mentors and supervisors. Then, she got in touch with Women Leaders in Technology (WLiT) and became one of their first fellows. Nirisha likes to try things out herself, and after testing different fields, she found her passion in data. Just when she figured that out, the AI fellowship at Fusemachines began, and she was chosen as one of the first twenty-five people to join. The fellowship initially required participants to be physically present, allowing Nirisha to learn directly from industry experts. Her dedication and perseverance, rather than just luck, led to her securing a position as an Associate Machine Learning Engineer at Fusemachines. Despite seeming successful, Nirisha found the experience tiring as she had to balance her academic studies with a full-time job.
Nirisha attended a girls-only school until the tenth grade, followed by St. Xavier’s, where there were few girls, and then pursued computer engineering, where female representation was scarce. From a young age, she was outspoken, but it became apparent that she was often the only female voice addressing important topics. She believes that girls have a unique understanding and communication style, yet few are willing to step up and take on these roles. The reluctance of women to speak up and express themselves contributes to the under-representation of females in the tech industry. She emphasizes the importance of speaking out and advocating for oneself without fear of judgment. Nirisha shares, “There was this project where I felt like I wasn’t improving at all. I knew there were better opportunities out there for me, but I stayed silent, and it ended up being a big mistake. However, one time I gathered the courage to talk to my manager about it, and everything changed for the better after that.”
Nirisha, although intelligent and outspoken, frequently struggled with imposter syndrome. Despite these phases, she emphasizes the importance of asserting one’s value, stating, “You need to show people that things can’t happen without you and that you’re committed. Therefore, you should take me seriously.” Additionally, she highlights the power of effective communication, saying, “Speaking is crucial, and if it helps me achieve my goals, then that’s a win for me.”
Despite enjoying a fulfilling career as an AI engineer, Nirisha’s innate sociability persisted. Alongside her five peers from the WLiT Fellowship, she co-founded Safer-I, a platform dedicated to creating a safer digital environment for all. Initially operating under the legal umbrella of WLiT, Safer-I gained traction by offering a variety of technology-related workshops. Over time, Safer-i expanded its reach, attracting more volunteers, partners, and audiences. Today, the initiative continues to thrive under the stewardship of new individuals, affording them the opportunity to contribute to both society and the tech industry. Nirisha and her friends remain involved, offering support in an advisory capacity.
While Nirisha’s life seemed to be sailing smoothly, her inner calling for meaningful work, as opposed to corporate life, became more apparent as she sought avenues for self-expression. Despite rejection from multiple scholarship applications and experiencing a sense of failure, she persevered until finally being accepted into the Erasmus program to study Sustainability and Innovation. Although aware of the tough job market, she ultimately made the tough choice to depart from Fusemachines and pursue her heart’s desire in Europe.
Nirisha recalls a woman she once met who advised, “Women should travel and seize every opportunity. You never know when you’ll find yourself in that part of the world.” Inspired by these words, Nirisha embraces travel. With the support of her connections and mentors, she applied to become a mentee for the UnescoXWomen@Dior programme. Feelings of excitement and nervousness overwhelmed her when she received a call for an interview with Dior’s HR department. To her delight, she was selected. The prospect of attending the UNESCO conference as a DIOR mentee in Paris filled her with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness, as she thought, “This is the closest I’ll ever be to Paris and UNESCO.” With excitement, she packed her bags and eagerly attended the event.
Known among her friends as a traveler, speaker, and spontaneous individual who makes decisions before deadlines, she emphasizes the importance of following one’s instincts. While she doesn’t make decisions impulsively, she prefers to finalize plans ahead of time to allow for thoughtful consideration and improvement. Nirisha believes strongly that women should pursue what feels right for them. Reflecting on her own experience, she explains how her mother has been a source of support in challenging traditional gender norms, encouraging her to see societal expectations as mere suggestions rather than mandates. Nirisha shares, “I’ve seen people in their 30s and 40s claiming that their lives have just begun. When I reflect on my journey, I remind myself that I’m also just getting started.”
When asked about how she maintains calmness, and confidence, and gathers her thoughts while living alone in a foreign country, Nirisha admitted, “I’m not always calm or confident. Managing everything can be tough at times, but that’s okay. That’s just life. We keep pushing forward until we discover something more meaningful than just pushing through.” She also stressed the significance of the networks, connections, and opportunities we encounter during our early years in navigating the larger world beyond. Nirisha shared an anecdote about encountering a firm but constructive critic who pushed her to grow, highlighting the importance of such encounters in personal development. Nirisha recommends having difficult conversations with people to embrace the negative possibilities in your favor. As someone who enjoys communicating, she seizes any opportunity to pitch her ideas and welcomes feedback as it facilitates her growth.
Having been mentored and guided for much of her life, Nirisha deeply appreciates the significance of mentorship and its positive impact on STEM fields. Reflecting on her initial aspiration to become a teacher and the influence of a strong woman she encountered during her journey, she expresses her willingness to offer assistance to others in any way possible. “Whatever I’ve gained so far, I’m eager to contribute however I can,” she affirms.
We feel grateful to Nirisha for sharing her inspiring journey and motivating young minds in tech.
This article was written by Anupama Rai, a valuable member of Nepali Women in Computing for Nepali Women in Computing — CELEBRATE.
