Meet, Esita.
In this feature, we spotlight Esita Sogotubu, a proud Fijian educator and Employability Manager at the University of Technology Sydney. With over 15 years of experience in student development and career education, Esita has guided countless students to realise their potential. Her journey from Suva, Fiji, to Australia as an international student shaped her deep understanding of the challenges and strengths of Pasifika learners. Today, she leads programs that empower students to thrive in their studies, careers, and communities, grounded in her belief that education is the foundation for growth and opportunity.
Esita Sogotubu, Director of Finance and Operations
When you meet Esita Sogotubu, Employability Manager at UTS Careers, you immediately sense her calm strength and deep purpose. Proudly Fijian, Esita brings more than 15 years of experience in career development, employability, and student success. She sees her work not just as a profession but as service.
“I've always believed that education is the key to unlocking potential,” she says. Growing up near Suva, Fiji, Esita was surrounded by examples of perseverance and learning. “My father worked on an agricultural research station and later as a farmer, while my mother worked in education administration. From them, I learned that growth takes nurturing, whether you’re cultivating crops or supporting people.”
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Her own education journey took her across the Pacific to Australia just before her 18th birthday, arriving on a scholarship to pursue her studies. “It was both exciting and overwhelming,” Esita reflects. “Being away from home, learning a new system, and finding my place gave me first-hand understanding of what international and Pasifika students experience, the struggles, the triumphs, and the resilience it takes to succeed.”
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At UTS, Esita now leads a team responsible for designing and delivering co-curricular programs and events that connect students with faculties, employers, and industry. Her work spans mentoring programs, career readiness initiatives, and partnerships that help students translate their studies into meaningful futures. Several of these programs have received national recognition for their innovation and impact.
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“One of the projects I’m most proud of is the UTS Pasifika Mentoring Program,” she says. “It’s about giving back, creating spaces where Pasifika students can see themselves reflected, supported, and celebrated. I want them to know they belong here, that their culture and identity are strengths.”
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Her vision for the future is clear. “I hope to see more of our Pasifika people in academia and leadership, not just in the classroom but shaping institutions. We celebrate our athletes and artists, and we need to celebrate our educators, researchers, and leaders in the same way. These are the people lighting the path for the next generation.”
As our talanoa draws to a close, Esita’s passion for her work shines through. “Every student I meet, whether it’s their first day or years later as an alum, reminds me why I do this. It’s about more than employment. It’s about purpose, confidence, and the belief that our people can thrive anywhere.”