Our online panel discussion featured recent GAF alum who shared their personal stories and practical advice on navigating this major life change.

We brought together four GAF scholars who have finished their scholarship and got real about what their lives and careers have looked like since.

To commemorate our finishing scholars, we brought together four recent GAF alum to talk candidly about the steps they took to get to where they are now. Our panel consisted of…

Caitlyn Badcock
Caitlyn ended her Agricultural Science degree early, forgoing her Honours year, because she was ready for work. Her career as an agronomist skyrocketed, and she’s now managing staff significantly older than her  – so she’s well-placed to talk about building confidence when you’re the youngest one in the workplace.

Justise Woods
After finishing her Law and Criminology degree at the end of 2024, Justise took an unorthodox path and now works in community events. Her story focuses on being strategic when finding your first job out of university (and making full use of the dreaded LinkedIn to your advantage).

Murphy Knowles
Murphy began working as a qualified Paramedic at the start of this year. He has been active as a Lifesaver for many years, even winning a Young Citizen of the Year Award in 2022, so he’s got a thing or two to say about values and personal growth.

Tara Innes
Tara is busy wrapping up her degree in Law and Communications and balancing her role as Executive Director of the volunteer-run WA Justice Association, but even she was struggling to land her first law-focused job. A brave and resilient individual, Tara offers valuable tips for navigating rejection and disappointment.

Plus May Samali, the Founder and CEO of Human Leadership Lab facilitated the whole event. As a leadership expert, former John Monash scholar, and a millennial who's gone through a handful of career changes, May knows the struggles of transitioning into the unknown.

May started off with a short presentation about navigating the transition between university and the workplace. She gets real about the complex, uncertain and rapidly evolving world of work that today’s generation is coming into – a vastly different world from the one their parents grew up in.

So, what kind of competencies do our scholars need to be prepared with when heading to their first graduate job? May breaks it down to the ABCs. Literally.

A for Adaptability

May doesn’t see adaptability as a technical skill, but rather a mindset – it’s a willingness to evolve, unlearn and experiment.

She acknowledges that careers today are not the linear corporate ladders that had been promised to generations past. Instead, you should think of them as jungle gyms. You’re allowed to pivot, explore new roles, and embrace opportunities that don’t always look like a step up – but still move you forward.

She urges scholars to ‘get clear on your why and be flexible on the how and what.’ That means anchoring yourself in your values and purpose, while staying open to the many paths that can get you there.

B for Bravery

Bravery may seem like an odd word, but it’s really the courage to put yourself out there. May emphasises that the more you put yourself out of your comfort zone, the more your comfort zone expands. What may have been hard for you six months ago may seem like a breeze to you now. Remember: courage over comfort.

Bravery also means owning what you learn, making hard asks (like asking for help), and embracing the mistakes and rejections you’re inevitably going to experience.

C for Compassion

In a world where entry-level jobs are threatened by the promise of AI tools, May reminds us that what makes us uniquely human is the ability to empathise with each other and build genuine relationships.

Remember that compassion isn’t just reserved for others, but it starts with yourself. In this particular transitional phase of your life, it’s important that you’re attuned with your needs and ask yourself ‘What do I need in this moment?’ and ‘How do I want to approach the job search?’

Whether you’re early into your scholarship or nearing graduation, the video below is a must-watch to help you prep for the world of work.