A career built outside the classroom has brought Eroni Vuetibau back to his studies, where he is pursuing another qualification and a new chapter in his professional journey.
It was a decision to keep learning, even after experience had already taken him through hotels, restaurants, sales job and cruise operations.
The journey has taken him from Suva to Nadi, from hospitality and tourism to sales and marketing, and now back into higher education.
Vuetibau recently graduated with a Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration and is continuing his MBA studies at the University of Fiji.
“Graduating with my Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration is a very meaningful achievement for me personally,” he said.
“It represents much more than receiving an academic qualification; it represents perseverance, commitment and the willingness to continue learning despite the challenges that life and my career have presented.”
A beginning in hospitality
Vuetibau’s career began when he was a young student at the School of Hospitality and Tourism Studies in Nasese.
At the time, he did not realise that his training would expose him to opportunities that would shape his professional life.
While studying for a career in hospitality, he managed to juggle two jobs – as a peer educator for the AIDS Taskforce of Fiji and as a barman and waiter at O Reilly’s Bar.
At 19, Vuetibau moved to Nadi to pursue his dream of working in the tourism industry.
Those years would eventually become part of a wider 20-year career in tourism and hospitality.
“My 20 years in tourism and hospitality have shaped me significantly as a professional and as a leader,” he said.
“Hospitality is an industry where you learn every day because you are dealing with different personalities, cultures, expectations and situations.”
Lessons beyond the workplace
Working in hotels, restaurants and cruise operations taught Vuetibau that leadership was not simply about giving instructions.
It was about understanding people, listening to a team, leading by example and being prepared to step in and help when necessary.
He also learned that customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction are closely connected.
“When your team feels respected, supported and valued, they are more likely to provide better service,” he said.
His experience working with people from different nationalities and cultures further shaped his approach.
Cruise ships and international tourism environments brought him into contact with people with different backgrounds, communication styles and approaches to work.
“It taught me not to judge people too quickly,” he said.
“Instead, I learned to listen, understand and find ways to bring different people together towards a common goal.”
For Vuetibau, diversity can strengthen a workplace because people bring different ideas, experiences and perspectives.
He believes everyone deserves respect, regardless of their position.
When the path changed
Then came COVID-19.
For Vuetibau and many others in the tourism and hospitality industry, it became one of the most challenging periods of their careers.
Experienced hospitality workers found themselves without stable employment or accepting jobs outside the roles they were accustomed to.
For Vuetibau, the experience was humbling.
He had years of managerial and operational experience, yet circumstances required him to remain flexible and take opportunities wherever they were available.
Rather than allowing the period to become a definition of his career, he chose to learn from it.
“Rather than seeing that period as a setback, I decided to look at it as a learning experience,” he said.
The experience also changed the way he viewed education.
“It made me realise that experience is extremely valuable, but qualifications can provide another level of opportunity and security,” he said.
That realisation strengthened his determination to return to education and combine his practical experience with formal academic knowledge.
Learning while working
Returning to an academic environment after years in the tourism and hospitality industry was a major step.
At the same time, Vuetibau continued working and developing professionally.
The challenge was balancing work, study and personal responsibilities.
There were days when work was demanding and assignments, readings, presentations or examinations still had to be completed.
Time management became essential.
“I learned to plan ahead, prioritise my responsibilities and make use of whatever time was available,” he said.
He also learned the importance of asking questions and seeking assistance when something was not understood.
Above all, he remained consistent.
“I reminded myself that completing a qualification is not about being perfect; it is about continuing to move forward,” he said.
His motivation was simple, he wanted to improve himself and avoid becoming complacent.
He also wanted to demonstrate to other working professionals, particularly those in hospitality and tourism that returning to university was possible.
“I wanted to prove to myself that it is possible to continue learning even when you already have many years of experience,” he said.
Looking ahead
The next goal is clear, to complete his MBA and continue developing professionally.
Over the next five years, he hopes to combine his experience in hospitality, tourism, customer service, sales and business administration to contribute at a higher strategic level.
He also wants to support young professionals and people entering the hospitality and tourism industry through training, mentoring and sharing practical knowledge.
His ambitions go beyond a job title.
“Ultimately, I want my career to be about more than just a position or job title,” he said.
“I want to be someone who can contribute meaningful ideas, develop people and help organisations improve their services and performance.”
The values that have carried him through his career remain important, humility.
COVID-19 reminded him how quickly circumstances can change, while his studies reminded him that there is always something new to learn.
He was willing to learn from lecturers, classmates and even younger students.
“Everyone has something valuable to contribute,” he said.
For young Fijians facing career setbacks, his message comes from experience.
“Do not allow a setback to define your future,” he said.
The tourism and hospitality industry can be challenging, he says, and circumstances may force people to take different paths.
But every experience can teach something.
His advice is to value practical experience, take opportunities to study and, where possible, do both.
“You do not have to wait until everything is perfect before you start studying,” he said.
“I returned to education after years of working and although the journey has not always been easy I am grateful that I made the decision.”
“Experience gives you the foundation, but education can give you another perspective and open new doors. Most importantly, believe in yourself and keep moving forward.”
His 20 years in tourism and hospitality have shaped him significantly as a professional. Picture: SUPPLIED
Eroni at university. Picture: FILE
