Career advice, book recommendations, lessons on knowing your value, and a reality check on AI — this online panel discussion covered it all.

From the shiny corporate perks to inevitable rejection emails and awkward interviews that are few and far between, our panel offered an honest look at the realities of entering today's workforce.

Four recent GAF graduates spoke about staying true to your values, putting yourself out there and having the confidence to be selective, even when you're eager to land any job. Facilitated by leadership expert May Samali, the panel consisted of:

Angus Cheek
Angus graduated from the University of Tasmania (UTAS) with a degree in Engineering and now works as a Graduate Naval Architect in Adelaide. Having relocated for university and then for work, he shared insights on navigating life’s big transitions, pursuing opportunities that align with your values, and remembering that your degree or your job is not your entire identity.

Justise Woods
This time last year, former Murdoch University scholar Justise was working in community events management. Today, she’s putting her Law and Criminology degree into practice at a regional law firm. She spoke about the unexpected paths she took, including remaining open-minded and the willingness to be a beginner again.

Murphy Knowles
A UTAS Paramedicine graduate and long-time Surf Lifesaving volunteer, Murphy knows plenty about caring for physical health and has tips for taking care of your mental wellbeing too. He spoke about the importance of authenticity, self-awareness and staying connected to your values.

Sasha Sri Deenathayalan
On the cusp of graduating from her double degree of Laws and International Studies at Deakin University, Sasha reflects on how learning what wasn't for her proved just as valuable as discovering what was — helping her find a career path aligned with her passions and values.

You might’ve noticed a theme here: values.

In one of life's biggest transitions, figuring out what kind of job you'll dedicate 8+ hours a day to forces you to examine your values and decide whether a role or organisation truly aligns with what matters to you.

As GAF Scholars, our panellists were selected not just for their academic achievements, but for their leadership potential and community contributions, so being values-driven comes naturally to them. But they also know that values can change over time, making it all the more important to look inward, identify what matters to you now, and let those values guide your decisions.

They also promoted choosing growth over comfort — something much easier said than done. Yet our panellists are living proof that some of the most rewarding or formative experiences lie on the other side of doing the uncomfortable or scary thing. Whether it's applying for a role, asking someone for advice, relocating, or just putting yourself out there, growth often begins with doing the 'scary brave' thing.

The conversation naturally shifted to AI and what it means for graduates entering an already competitive job market. Yet our panellists kept reiterating that values are our greatest advantage. According to May, values, relationship-building and critical thinking are not only some of the most in-demand skills in today's workforce, but they are also the qualities that AI can't replace.

Learn more about their insights in the video below.