Varanisese Michelle Vakula.

For many students, discovering the right career pathway begins with a conversation.

For Varanisese Michelle Vakula, that conversation is an opportunity to listen, understand a young person’s aspirations, and help them see possibilities they may never have considered.

As an Outreach Specialist at the Fiji National University (FNU), Ms Vakula has spent the past three years taking information about higher education, TVET programmes and career opportunities directly to schools and communities across Fiji. From visiting remote schools in Vanua Levu and the Yasawa Islands to travelling across five islands in the Lau Group, her work has taken her into communities where access to information about higher education can make an important difference.

“I usually give them some time to sit and have a chat about what subjects they are taking, how their studies are and what their personal interests are,” she said.

Many of the students she meets are uncertain about what they want to study or which career path to pursue. Rather than simply presenting them with a list of programmes, she takes time to understand their interests before guiding them through the opportunities available at FNU.

Ms Vakula describes one of the most rewarding moments as seeing a student’s excitement when they discover a programme that sparks their interest.

“Many times, when I go through the University programmes with them, I can always see a twinkle in their eyes when they start hearing about an interesting programme,” she said.

That sense of discovery is what continues to drive Ms Vakula in her role.

Varanisese Michelle Vakula engaging with students during a high school outreach visit.

Originally from Vagadaci Village in Ovalau, with maternal links to Tilivalevu, Nadroga, Ms Vakula is the youngest of two siblings. She attended Jasper Williams High School in Lautoka before completing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in History and Linguistics, at the University of the South Pacific (USP).

She is now continuing her own educational journey at FNU, where she is pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Policy.

Her decision to pursue a career in outreach was inspired by her passion for community engagement and her belief in the transformative power of education.

“I enjoy community engagement and working with people to encourage the importance of education,” she said.

In her role, Ms Vakula builds and maintains relationships with schools, communities, industry and regional stakeholders while encouraging students from different backgrounds to consider higher education and TVET pathways.

She says the role requires much more than simply travelling to schools and delivering presentations.

“Many people may not realise just how much knowledge and understanding the Outreach Department needs to have about the University,” she said.

Outreach staff need a thorough understanding of FNU’s programmes, entry requirements, enrolment processes, scholarships, academic pathways, campuses and student support services.

“We are often the first point of contact for students, parents, teachers and communities, so we need to be able to answer their questions, provide accurate information and connect them with the right people when needed,” she said.

“In many ways, we’re like a ‘walking FNU guide’ because wherever we go, we represent the University and carry its information with us.

Her preparation begins long before she arrives at a school or community.

When new programmes are introduced, she spends time reading and understanding the programme information and conducting background research with the relevant colleges and centres.

She also spends time reviewing her presentations, familiarising herself with the latest prospectus and rehearsing her delivery before each visit.

“Before any outreach, I go over my presentations and prospectus the night before,” she said.

Travelling throughout Fiji has also taught Ms Vakulathe importance of patience and listening.

“Working with students, schools and communities has taught me a lot about patience and the importance of listening,” she said.

She understands that every prospective student comes from a different background, with unique experiences, levels of confidence, knowledge and support. For her, outreach is about more than simply sharing information—it is about creating a space where young people feel heard, encouraged and confident about their future.

“Sometimes, our role is simply to sit down, listen and understand a young person’s dreams and aspirations before offering guidance. When we take the time to understand where they are coming from, we can help them see where they can go.”

One of Ms Vakula’s most memorable experiences has been participating in the Student Liaison Outreach Programme, which took her to some of the country’s more remote schools, including Duavata Secondary School in Vanua Levu and two schools in the Yasawa Islands.

For Ms Vakula, being able to reach students in these communities and inspire them to consider higher education was particularly meaningful.

For young people considering higher education, Ms Vakula has a simple message: “Education has no limits, no restrictions. If you have your heart set on pursuing higher education, then nothing can stop you but yourself.”