I caught up with Utkarsh Manocha, the founder of My First Australian Offer, a career coaching platform born from lived experience and driven by a desire to support international students navigating the complexities of job hunting. A mission-led business built on purpose, resilience, and a deep understanding of career uncertainty.
đź“ŤQ: What moment in your career journey made you decide to start Grad Careers?
Utkarsh: “There wasn’t one single eureka moment, it was a gradual realisation. Being active on LinkedIn, both personally and professionally, I found myself drawn to how powerful the platform could be. Over time, I started helping people around me, creating small resources, facilitating conversations, and I loved it. Eventually, I had to ask myself: is this just an interest, or something I’m truly passionate about? I took a leap of faith, and thankfully had enough financial cushion to give it a shot. I knew the international student space wasn’t being served properly in the career coaching world, and I couldn’t see anyone else filling that gap. So I paved my own way. I also believe that passion alone isn’t enough, you have to build something sustainable. If there’s no return, you risk burning out or losing motivation. That balance is crucial.”
📍Q: What’s been the most rewarding moment for you since starting Grad Careers?
Utkarsh: “There have been many great moments, but one that sticks with me is my first client, a mentee who had been struggling for months and was close to giving up. They were exhausted, overwhelmed, and felt like nothing was working. I worked with them closely, and eventually, they landed a role. Watching that shift in someone, when they go from hopeless to hopeful, from stuck to empowere, it’s incredibly emotional. I’ve seen people break down in gratitude. Those moments are the reason I keep doing this.”
đź“ŤQ: Looking back at your own lowest career moment, what advice would you give to your younger self?
Utkarsh: “I’d tell myself to be a little kinder, and to take care of my mental space. There were times I was so caught up in pressure and self-doubt that I didn’t give myself room to just figure things out. You don’t always need all the answers right away. I’d say: be patient, be gentle, and give yourself permission to not have it all worked out yet.”
đź“ŤQ: One message for the world?
Utkarsh: “I think a lot of people would be in a much happier place if we could just reduce the weight of expectations, especially from parents, society, or even ourselves. Try to focus on what you can control. That’s where peace starts.”
✨Key Takeaway:
Utkarsh reminds us that meaningful work often begins with personal struggle and that building something with purpose requires both courage and clarity. In a world full of pressure and noise, his journey is a quiet call to trust your own timeline, help others where you once needed help, and find a balance between passion and sustainability.
