3 UTS finalists share their Top100 Future Leaders Awards experience

Applying for opportunities outside the classroom can feel daunting, especially when you’re not sure where it’ll lead. But sometimes taking a chance can open doors you didn’t expect.

That’s exactly what happened for UTS students Laura Judson, Sanam Maharaj and Shahil Prasad, who were named finalists in last year’s SEEK Grad Top100 Future Leaders Awards. We asked them about their experiences, what they gained from the process and why they’d encourage other students to put themselves forward.

Tell us a bit about yourself (including your name, area of study and current career aspirations).

Laura Judson (2026 finalist for the BDO Accounting Award):

Hi! My name is Laura and I am currently in my final year of a Bachelor of Business majoring in Accounting. Beyond my studies, I am a U:PASS Leader, a UTS Business Mentor, and a Swimming teacher and supervisor. Looking ahead, I want to pursue a career in accounting, particularly as an auditor.

My name is Sanam Maharaj, and I’m studying a Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Information Systems at UTS. I aspire to build a career in consulting, with a strong interest in IT consulting and auditing. I enjoy working at the intersection of people, strategy and technology, which is why I’m actively involved in both the UTS Case Team and the Tech Society. These experiences have strengthened my curiosity for complex problem-solving and helped me appreciate how business decisions and technical thinking connect. I hope to contribute to a future where technology-enabled solutions are thoughtful, accessible and genuinely impactful.

I’m Shahil, I just completed my Bachelor of IT, majoring in Networking and Cybersecurity. I’ve worked as a Network Engineer at Cisco and Westpac whilst I was doing my degree. Prior to taking this course I was working as a nurse. Currently I’m working at Heidi Health as a Forward Deployed Engineer, working towards the company’s mission of doubling the world’s healthcare capacity.

What made you decide to apply for the Top100 Future Leaders Awards?

I originally saw the program and decided to apply with a “why not?” attitude, figuring the worst-case scenario was simply gaining some valuable interview practice. I knew that the graduate recruitment season would be tricky, so I viewed the Top100 process as a safe environment to test my skills.

I applied because I wanted to challenge myself and see what I could learn from the process. At first, I didn’t imagine I would progress very far, but I knew it would be a valuable experience regardless. I was also inspired by past finalists who spoke about the personal growth that came from the assessments and interviews. The opportunity to meet students from across Australia and engage with leading employers motivated me to give it a try – and I’m incredibly grateful that I did.

I applied to the award to prove to myself that I was capable of being recognised as one of the top graduates in the country. I spent a lot time during my degree doing industry certifications to put myself ahead of other graduates so I knew I had the technical skills, but the process of the awards proved to me that I can be just as good on the people side and motivate others as a leader in the future.

What did you enjoy the most about the Top100 experience?

The highlight of the experience was undoubtedly the opportunity to connect with so many like-minded, driven students from all across Australia. It was incredibly empowering to network with industry leaders and gain a deeper understanding of the future of the accounting profession.

I genuinely enjoyed connecting with so many driven, thoughtful and down-to-earth students. The assessment centre was energising, and it was inspiring to see how differently people approached the same problems. I also loved the awards night, where I had the chance to speak with industry professionals and hear the stories behind the finalists’ journeys. What stood out most was the sense of community – everyone was supportive, humble and genuinely excited for each other, which made the experience even more special.

Meeting such like-minded individuals during the assessment centre and awards night was my highlight. Made lifelong friends and connections over the two days and still keeping up with some of them now.

How did you approach the Top100 testing, interview and assessment centre components? Do you have any tips for future applicants?

My biggest piece of advice is to be your authentic self throughout every stage of the process, as recruiters truly want to see who you are beyond your resume. Also trying to stay calm (which is easier said than done) while focusing on clear, honest communication rather than delivering the perfect answer. I also highly recommend utilising the UTS Careers resources (this really helped me)!

My approach was to prepare steadily but not overthink each stage. For the tests, I familiarised myself with common formats and focused on staying calm. For the interview, I centred my answers on authenticity rather than rehearsed lines, which helped me feel more grounded. At the assessment centre, I focused on listening, contributing meaningfully, and supporting my group rather than competing. My biggest advice is to be yourself – assessors will notice curiosity, teamwork and self-awareness more than perfectly crafted answers.

What did you learn about yourself, the recruitment process or your industry while going through the Top100 experience?

I learned that I’m more capable than I sometimes give myself credit for. I didn’t expect to reach the finalist stage, let alone be selected as one of 11 finalists for the PwC Management & Commerce Award, and that experience helped shift my confidence. I also realised how much I enjoy problem-solving in a team environment, which reaffirmed my aspiration to pursue management consulting. Most importantly, I gained a deeper appreciation for how supportive and human the recruitment process can be when approached with curiosity and openness.

I learnt that I’m able to connect with others well and draw knowledge from their experiences. I’ve seen what others are doing in the startup space and draw some inspiration from them.

What advice would you give students who are thinking of applying for the Top100 Future Leaders Awards?

To anyone on the fence: just do it! There is absolutely no harm in applying, and you never know what doors might open. Even if you don’t make it to the final stage, the practice you get along the way makes the entire journey worth it (especially if you are thinking of applying for graduate roles).

Apply, even if you feel unsure or think you won’t get far. Many students, including myself, start the process with self-doubt, but the experience is valuable at every stage. Treat it as an opportunity to learn, meet new people and understand yourself better. Be honest about your strengths and growth areas, and remember that showing humility, teamwork and genuine interest goes a long way. The Top100 is less about being perfect and more about showing potential, so take the leap and you might surprise yourself 🙂

There is no harm in applying for the award, I would definitely recommend it. The 2 days of the assessment centre and awards were such a good experience in making connections and learning how to navigate different environments and also learning so much from others.