Saul Brady is yet to finish his studies and yet, he’s already accomplished so much. Whether it was starting a talent show in Forster which raised over $20,000 for charity in Year 9, participating in various conferences and international conventions during his senior high school years or securing highly contested jobs alongside his university study, he remains committed to his goals and to making a difference.
Saul Brady is the 2019 Alinta Awards – CEF Rising Star in this year’s CEF Alumni Awards.
Now in his final year of double degree in commerce and economics at the University of New South Wales, the future is bright for Saul. He dreams of working in management consulting, and is well on the way having beaten out hundreds of worthy applicants for an amazing summer job opportunity with Deloitte, the most popular graduate employer in Australia.
Not surprisingly, he was awarded the UNSW Deans Award for Service in 2019, which acknowledges an undergraduate student each year for their extracurricular and community involvement.
Always humble, Saul says: “I have been very thankful and fortunate to have a number of people who have supported and encouraged me during my studies which has made these achievements possible.”
Such support includes $1000 in financial assistance from Great Lakes Education Fund in his first year of study in 2016, that was matched by UNSW due to a national co-funding arrangement with Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF).
Saul hopes to complete his MBA in the United States in the coming years and is well on track to do just that. Saul has also worked with 180 Degrees Consulting, an organisation offering ‘real-life’ consultancy experience for university students. It is through this work that Saul reconnected with CEF and found a way to give back, recently assisting to complete a social impact report for the organisation.
To other CEF alumni he says: “reconnect with the alumni network. We are lucky to be part of a large and unique network of people who have faced some challenge or struggle to pursue further education, some more than others, however we have all been supported by CEF to overcome these barriers and achieve great things.”
2019 Alinta Energy – CEF Alumni Awards:
- Alinta Energy – CEF Alumnus of the Year: Lee Constable, Harden
- Alinta Energy – Community Champion: Molly Dennis, Goulburn
- Alinta Energy – CEF Young Achiever: Dr Grace Causer, Young
Outside of his university studies, and numerous extracurricular activities, Saul can be found staying active and at the beach. It reminds him of home, and it is his escape from the hustle and bustle of Sydney life. Although now living in Sydney, Saul “still feels very connected to country Australia” and while his career path might not take him back to the country any time soon, he says that in management consulting there is the ability to do social impact work in local communities which is important to him.
Saul knows it can be daunting to leave a small town for the big city, but urges young country students to think about study after school.
“Whether that be university, TAFE or an apprenticeship, education is an empowering tool that opens up so many opportunities in life, so I encourage young students to never stop learning and never stop growing. I believe at times you have to step outside your comfort zone in order to achieve your goals,” Saul said.
Connecting with CEF is a powerful way for Alumni to maintain contact with their local foundation and be inspired by like-minded students. Catch up with CEF on Facebook and join the CEF Alumni private group. Also Follow CEF on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Recent Comments