Failing a high school external examination did not discourage Sheetal Mala from joining a tertiary institute after her studies.

Ms Mala, 18, said after failing the Fiji School Leaving Certificate for Year 12, she was thinking about what to do with her life.

“I remember last year I went for the Fiji National University (FNU) careers expo and I was interested in the hospitality and tourism booth particularly in cookery” she said.

“At that moment, I knew if something happened, taking up a tourism course was the way to go for me.

“The lady at the booth was so compelling with her presentation and I never thought I would take up cookery since I hardly help out in the kitchen at home.”

Ms Mala graduated on Friday at the FNU National Training and Productive Centre under the College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism with a certificate of attainment in commercial cookery.

“Now I’m helping my sister a lot in the kitchen with meals preparation and I even surprise them with cooked meals when they get home from work,” she said.

She said the road has just began for her as she was planning to further her studies and open her own business in the future.

“I thank my family for having my back since day one and my source of strength every day,” she said.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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