Never doubt yourself
STEPPING in a field considered male dominated only encouraged Vasiti Turaga to take up electrical engineering as her profession.
Originally from Ra, her inquisitiveness regarding how machines worked sparked her interest in the field which had long hosted the stereotype of being a ‘man’s job.’
“It’s quite interesting especiallywhen it comes to learning about new machines.”
She said work could be difficult at times such as when she worked 12 hours a day, and seven days a week during COVID-19 lockdown.
“Some days it’s very busy and tiring or you could say stressful and the other days it is calm but all in all it’s quite enjoyable,” she said.
She said watching her maternal uncle build a comfortable life out of electrical engineering inspired her to do the same. “I knew electrical engineering had a lot of demand, not only in local markets but overseas markets as well.”
The 27-year-old added how the existence of gender roles and it being a male dominated field did not really affect her but rather empowered her as woman.
“I am the only female electrical engineer at Biscuit Company of Fiji, a subsidiary company of Flour Mills of Fiji.”
She said while working in such a field carried a substantial stereotype, she found the environment welcoming and friendly. “Before entering the workforce, I too carried a certain stereotype as to how I will be treated. However, as I joined them I realised how inaccurate some of these stereotypes are. Here I’m treated as an equal to my male workmates so I would say there isn’t any stereotyping of any form.”
She said she started working under the apprentice scheme from the Fiji National University and has been in the profession for three years. Ms Turaga has encouraged young women to try out fields of their interests to unravel their true potential.
“If you can dream about it,then you most definitely can achieve it. It’s all in the mind and if you have a great support system make the most of it and turn that dream into a reality.
“There will always be people who will tell you cannot do a certain thing but that should not stop you from doing it anyway.
“Never doubt yourself and always give your best in all that you do.”