Two UQ public relations students have been awarded the inaugural Cole Lawson bursaries.
Rebecca Brown and Lily Howe each received a $2500 prize, for the quality of their applications, study, PR work, and commitment to their careers.
Awarding the bursary in the Ideas Centre at the UQ of Journalism and Communication, Cole Lawson Communications Managing Director, Margaret Lawson, praised the recipients for the high standard of their applications and for being "wonderful young professionals".
She said the bursary aimed to provide practical assistance to the students at an uncertain time in their careers.
“Public relations is an amazing profession leading to amazing careers,” she said.
“But I won’t forget when I graduated and the time I spent sending letters to everyone seeking a job.
“My family kept on asking me ‘What will I do next?’ Thankfully, someone had faith in me and gave me a job.”
Her career has taken her in many directions including working in the higher education sector, working internationally, in federal politics, the energy sector and owning her own business.
Ms Lawson said she was “passionate” about higher education and developed the Cole Lawson Bursary with the School and SBS Faculty to enable other committed young people to enter the industry.
Her hot-tips for making a success in PR?
“When hiring young people I look for people who are curious, who read widely, who love writing and who have well developed writing skills.”
Contact: Katie Petersen, 3346 8297 or katie.petersen@uq.edu.au
