The Midland resident is currently working for a Liberal senator in Canberra and very excited about the challenges ahead.
“I have started a law degree, but now I am going to study part-time due to the hours in my new job,” she said.
This is not all the 21-year-old fits into her schedule though.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWMs Panaia is also a founding member of a charity for MS sufferers in WA and has already raised more than $70,000 for the charity.
She holds one fundraiser each year and donates the proceeds to the charity she has supported since she was 17.
Isn’t 17 young to start a charity?
“No, I was motivated to help and at that stage I did not know anyone with MS, but of course since then I have met a lot of people suffering from MS and I have found it hugely rewarding to help them,” she said.
For the past three years, Ms Panaia has also worked one day a week as a paralegal, witnessing some prominent trials in Perth laws courts, and said that had also been a hugely rewarding experience.
“I feel like with what I have experienced I have already lived a few lifetimes,” she said.
Although she did not enjoy school, once she hit university she absolutely loved it, she said
“Law is such a great area to study and I am highly motivated now and passionate about what I do,” she said.