Self-funded graduate eyes Government career

A commerce graduate who funded her own studies is now setting her sights on a career in Government after graduating at the University of the South Pacific’s Laucala Campus today.

Elenoa Tamani, 30, from Matuku, Lau, with maternal links to Nadrau, Navosa, graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in economics and official statistics.

Ms Tamani completed her degree as a private student, meaning she received no government sponsorship and paid her own way through university.

When her parents retired during her studies, her siblings stepped in to support her.

“I was also grateful that they had set a benchmark for me so I could follow suit,” she said.

The youngest of four children, Ms Tamani also balanced her studies with data and communications work at a non-governmental organisation.

She now hopes to move from the private sector into Government, where she believes her economics and statistics background will be most useful.

“With the degree that I have, I hope to join the Government,” she said.

Her parents, Talatoka, 66, and Mesake Tamani, 72, were among those who witnessed her graduation, along with her brother and three-year-old nephew, Ratu Amena Vakawaletabua.

Ms Tamani said the journey had not been easy, but the achievement has motivated her to aim higher.

“I hope this will not just be the beginning,” she said. “I hope to continue furthering my studies.”

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