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Fujitsu

4.6
  • > 100,000 employees

Peta Toohey

Navigating yourself as an Indigenous person in the corporate world can be daunting as for many of us this is our first experience working in a corporate environment. Yet, it is also an incredibly exhilarating experience as we move forward to build stronger relationships for our peoples and business

What did you study? 

Bachelor of Social Science – majoring in Sociology.

When did you graduate?

I am currently still studying in the final year of my degree. 

Do you identify with a particular tribe or people?

My mob is Gundungurra and Darug

Where did you grow up? 

I grew up in Katoomba, in the beautiful Blue Mountains on Gundungurra and Darug country. I attended Katoomba High School where I went on to become a teachers-aide after I graduated, working with students with learning disabilities. As part of my role, I had the opportunity to attend and participate in a range of cultural activities, some of which included smoking ceremonies, Indigenous agricultural and art days. After working as a teacher’s aide for two years, I decided I was ready for a new challenge so I enrolled in a Bachelor of Social Science – majoring in Sociology at Macquarie University. Throughout my degree, my passion for learning continued to grow. I developed a deep connection to my Indigenous identity and developed the necessary skills to think critically, work adaptively and seek opportunities that will challenge me. It was from these achievements that I mustered the courage to apply for Fujitsu’s 2020 Indigenous Internship program. 

How did you get to your current job position? For how long have you had it? 

I applied for Fujitsu’s 2020 Indigenous Program through Macquarie’s Wallangu Muru Indigenous centre. I commenced my 12-week Internship in September and was asked to continue on in 2021.

Did you face obstacles as an indigenous student/graduate? 

Throughout my degree, I learnt a lot of things about myself and my Indigenous heritage. As a fair-skinned Indigenous person, I have struggled in forming a strong sense of self. I have learnt to overcome this by accepting that my cultural identity is not determined by my external features but is something that runs deeply within me. Taking a position at Fujitsu was a massive step out of my comfort zone as I am the first person in my family to go to University and work in a corporate environment. Yet, it was a step in the right direction because I receive constant support from my team every day. Navigating yourself as an Indigenous person in the corporate world can be daunting as for many of us this is our first experience working in a corporate environment. Yet, it is also an incredibly exhilarating experience as we move forward to build stronger relationships for our peoples and business. 

Fujitsu Graduate Peta Toohey workstation

How did you choose your specialisation (compared to others)? 

I love working with people, communicating, solving problems and working collaboratively to deliver solutions. So while I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when I started my Internship in HR, I was fairly certain that HR would be a suitable fit for me. I have a keen interest in research and part of my role here at Fujitsu allows me to tap into my love for learning by researching best practices.  I can definitely see a future for myself in HR. 

graduate-fujitsu-peta-toohey-meeting

What was your interview process like? What kind of questions were you asked?

Due to COVID-19, I had a video interview with two hiring managers. Prior to the interview, I was provided with some useful links to help prepare me for what to expect. One of the most useful tools I was given was the STAR interviewing technique which really helped me gauge what I needed to say before the interview so I could reach my full potential.

What does your employer do?

Fujitsu is a leading Information and Communication Technology (ICT) company who originated in Japan. Fujitsu provides ICT products, solutions and services that encompass a range of portfolios such as data centres, digital transformation services, Multi-Cloud, Digital Workplace Services, Security and Data Applications. 

What are your areas of responsibility?

At Fujitsu, I work in the HR Talent and Capability team, so my areas of responsibility focus on developing and delivering content for early career talent programs that are targeted at Fujitsu’s Internships and Graduate programs. 

Can you describe a typical workday? 

A typical workday for me starts off arriving at the office (although sometimes I work from home), grabbing a coffee and having an informal catch up with my manager as we prepare for the day ahead. I find this time in the morning incredibly useful to catch up on emails or ask my manager any questions before I start my day. As the clock strikes 9 AM, I usually have a one-to-one with my second manager where I present my priorities for the week and we discuss any additional pieces of work I need to include for my week ahead. Depending on my tasks I usually have some research time and my desk, followed by team meetings. After lunch, I spend the remainder of my day completing my daily tasks and wrap up my day with a quick connect with managers to chat about what my priorities are for the following working day and ask questions.

What are the career prospects with your job? 

In my team, my manager is a big advocate for career development. As an Intern, It’s inspiring to watch other team member’s progress to higher roles in short periods of time. We are often encouraged to take the lead of tasks and go outside our comfort zone so we can constantly develop skills that will assist us in our overall career progression. Within HR, there are many different career opportunities which can be available depending on your interests. This could include specialising, and focusing your career on a particular area of HR such as recruitment, or learning & development. Alternatively, from a generalist perspective, you can also seek to become an HR advisor or business partner, working closely with an area of the organisation to provide strategic and operational support. 

Fujitsu Graduate Peta Toohey meeting with other team

What would your career be if you weren’t doing what you’re doing now? 

If I wasn’t at Fujitsu, I think I would have considered going into academic research. 

What do you love the most about your job? 

There are two main reasons why I love my position here at Fujitsu. Firstly, Fujitsu promotes flexible work arrangements which cater for a healthy work-life balance. My manager trusts me to prioritise my workload and exercise agency in how I work. Having the opportunity and freedom to decide when I work from home and in the office is incredibly beneficial in how I manage my work and university responsibilities. The second best part is that I am encouraged and supported when it comes to the work that I create. My managers always support my ideas and back me up, which in turn loops back to how confident I feel in my role and future career prospects. 

Fujitsu Graduate Peta Toohey coffee

What’s the biggest limitation of your job? 

The biggest limitation (although also often a benefit) of working at Fujitsu is the size of the company. It can sometimes be overwhelming. I’ve been lucky to work closely with different teams and understand that it will take some time to fully engage with all areas of the business. 

Which three pieces of advice would you give to Indigenous students nearing graduation? 

  1. You’ve earned it. If you’re nearing Graduation – It’s safe to say you’ve put in some hard yards to get there. You’ve proved your capability, you’ve succeeded in spite of the structural constraints placed upon Indigenous peoples and you deserve to flourish in your future career. 
  2. Trust in yourself – Trust that you will continue to strive and kick career goals. Trust that you’re right for the role and that you’re making the right choices to represent your community and give back to your mob. 
  3. Reflect – ask questions. You’re not expected to know everything, so take advantage of your ability to learn, question and reflect in your role – there’s no such a thing as a silly question.