The UNiDAYS Student Awards competition have now ended! Meet our 2020 winners below:
The Creative Champion - Leyton Abduli
Follow Leyton on Instagram at @leytonabduli
What are you currently studying?
Bachelor of Business (Marketing) at RMIT University
Going back to the start of your journey, what made you decide to enter the student awards?
Last year was a crazy year; the year proved to be difficult for many in one way or another. The predicaments of COVID-19 acted as a testament to everyone’s own willpower, and yet we remained strong and united as one. So, to be chosen to be given the student award in mind of being 2020’s Creative Champion is truly an honour.
When I first noticed that UNiDAYS will be running their annual student awards this year I thought why not apply. Whenever there is an opportunity like this one it’s always great to give it a go as you will never know unless you try. Being given the possibility to work with Universal Store, a leading Australian retailer renown for specialising in trend-led fashion, fuelled me with further ambition to apply since my own values tie in with their corporate culture in catering to individuality.
What is it about your industry that you're so passionate about?
I've always had a wonder for the marketing industry. Being an individual with an analytical yet imaginative state of mind, it's empowering to learn the techniques of making an influence through the usage of marketing/promotional concepts.
In understanding a consumer’s point of view, many solutions can be made that not only better their lifestyle but also suit their own intended preferences and needs. Marketing is so expansive and with the variety of career prospects in our day-and-age the sky is the limit.
What do you think made your entry stand out?
I’m not entirely sure, it could be the passion exemplified within the marketing and product development realm through my personal accomplishments whilst completing my studies. In utilising innovative thought processes, a product was created that was commended state-wide and featured within an exhibition at the Melbourne Museum. The winning design was a convertible fashion piece created to help many end-users and has won many awards. Marketing projects with a key conceptualisation of utilising sustainability were also immersed with, adding to the entry’s story in utilising creativity for the good of mankind.
Every individual has the ability to utilise their own creative skill set; it’s all about tapping into it – and that was the core message of my entry in which perhaps made it distinct and resonated with someone.
Who to what inspires you?
I’m primarily led by motivation – and hearing about people and what they have achieved by putting in hard work is what continues to inspire me. No matter who you are, anyone can do what they put their mind to, and only you can attest to what you can or can’t do.
What's next for you?
My overall end-goal is to utilise both my marketing degree and visionary state-of-mind in immersing myself into things that I’m not only passionate about, but also care about.
Health Hero - Patrick Benson
What are you currently studying?
I am currently in my 3rd year of Medicine at Notre Dame, Sydney.
Going back to the start of your journey, what made you decide to enter the student awards?
I’ve been connected with UNiDAYS for a few years and was actually reading through the awards email and figured I might as well have a crack at the Health Hero and nominate myself (even though it felt a bit cringe at the time).
What is it about your industry that you're so passionate about?
I think I’ve become so passionate about physical and mental health through a couple of avenues/industries. Through my work as a support worker, I’ve met so many great people with disability who’ve had a massive impact on me. One of the most important factors in many of their lives was simply to remain physically and mentally healthy and therefore be able to further involve themselves in the community around them and make the most of life.
In the medical space, I’m genuinely so passionate about helping people achieve the best quality of life they can whether it’s someone coming in feeling a bit crook and an issue that can be resolved quickly, or whether it’s someone who has a chronic disease/disability that needs continuous care and team work or when it’s someone who is nearing the end stages of their life and wants to be comfortable to be able to do what they love with the people they love.
What do you think made your entry stand out?
I hope that it came off as genuine as it was and stood out in that way!
Who or what inspires you?
My parents and siblings are my biggest inspiration. Mum and Dad have both spent their lives helping others in a health context and I’m one of the younger ones of six kids, so I’ve had plenty of great examples ahead of me about how to go about life.
What's next for you?
Hopefully getting through my last two years of med unscathed and getting stuck into hospitals as a junior doctor! Bit of travel and fun in between with my partner, friends and family and most definitely a few exercise goals (first triathlon and marathon on the cards in 2021).
Biz Whiz - Emma Maley
What are you currently studying?
I'm currently in my final year of the Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at The University of Adelaide
Going back to the start of your journey, what made you decide to enter the student awards?
2020 was a difficult year for everyone so when I saw the opportunity to possibly change my luck I had to jump at the chance.
What is it about your industry that you're so passionate about?
I love what I'm studying (after 6 years I ought to!) and I can't wait to be able to help animals and their humans live happy and healthy lives! For me veterinary medicine is a massively misunderstood industry by the public and this means that new students entering the profession may not know what they're stepping into. I want to change this so that it's clear what happens in the industry and also to tackle some of the issues we've got. Starting with the currently high suicide rates.
What do you think made your entry stand out?
How much I overestimate what I can actually logistically do? Hopefully, it was just the honest goals.
Who or what inspires you?
My peers! Vet is a small and super competitive degree and industry but over the years we've all become great friends who are incredibly supportive despite us all fighting for the same thing.
What's next for you?
Hopefully, with this amazing new laptop and more time on my hands this year I'll actually be able to put all those episodes I've been dreaming of together!
World Student Leader - Paige Faith
What are you currently studying?
I am in my final year of Forensic and Biomedical Science and loving the microbiology side and forensics most.
What do you think made your entry stand out?
I’m not sure what stood out about my entry, maybe it was my volunteer work in the community or maybe my study and work choice combination because I know they’re opposite ends of the spectrum, forensics and youth/community work!
Who or what inspires you?
My family are a huge inspiration and backbone for me, my Mum Sharon a Noomgar Yamatji boordiya (elder) pushed me to do my best, along with my dad Brad who is always there to listen. Some of my uni lecturers have been so inspirational and passionate and the drive they give me is wicked! My Elders also give me the morals and life teachings that I'm so privileged to get. They are amazing and do work in the community of such a high standard that I strive to make them proud everyday.
I am a proud Noongar Yamatji woman, and I strive to be an outstanding citizen and member of the community. I have high endeavours with my study, aiming to complete PhD research within Indigenous Communities regarding urgent or high burden disease after completing my degree in Biomedical and Forensic Science. I aim to be an inspirational leader to all women, and strong advocate for the tough conversations on disruption thinking, challenging non-functioning systems, a unique mind for cross-cultural awareness, brings people together with strong leadership style, Integrity, hard work through a complex cultural lens with a scope beyond many.
Trendsetter - Mitch Greer
What are you currently studying?
I am currently studying a Bachelor of Communications majoring in Public Relations and Social Media.
Going back to the start of your journey, what made you decide to enter the student awards?
I didn’t actually enter myself one of my friends, Olivia, who I grew up with entered me, I only found out that I was entered once she told me I'd won.
What is it about your industry that you're so passionate about?
I’ve always been really interested in social media and fashion growing up, so I think when It came time to enrol in uni, I knew I wanted to do something somewhat related to social media, so I chose to major in public relations and social media.
Who to what inspires you?
As I’ve grown up watching the Kardashians since I was a child, the family has always inspired me, I think what they have done and the success they’ve had as businesswomen is extraordinary.
What's next for you?
I'm not too sure what is next for me at the moment, but in the long run I know I definitely want to be running my own company.
Thank you to everyone who entered our 2020 Student Awards. Keen to enter more competitions? Check out out current competitions here.
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