Congratulations to Kacy Miaco, who has taken home the gold for Student of the Year Award at the 2024 Golden Target Awards hosted by Communication and Public Relations Australia (CPRA).
Kacy is a fourth year UQ Bachelors of Business Management/Communication student who is specialising in marketing and public relations. The Golden Target Awards are Australia’s longest-running and most prestigious industry awards for Communication and PR professionals. The program applauds exceptional strategic and creative thinking, executional excellence, and high-achieving people across the nation transforming businesses, brands, and reputations.
In recognition of these outstanding achievements, we spoke with Kacy about her experiences studying communication at UQ and her aspirations for the future.
What made you want to study communication at UQ, and how have you found your studies?
I always knew I wanted to work in a people-centric industry and after finding out about UQ's Bachelor of Communications program, the degree allowed me to explore a career in creativity and strategic planning. UQ's Bachelor of Communications program allowed me to delve into the theoretical and practical applications of communications in a collaborative and work-integrated environment. With the support of experienced academic mentors, I could explore different areas of communications, and instantly felt passionate about the world of public relations. From issues and stakeholder engagement to consumer PR, the dynamic and fast-paced industry challenged me to apply my learnings into internships and work experiences.
What are your career aspirations moving forward?
I would love to leverage my experience in digital marketing and consumer PR to create meaningful campaigns in a communications/ marketing agency. I’m eager to pursue a career that challenges my understanding and pushes me to reach my full potential.
What advice would you give to future students interested in studying communication?
The best advice I’ve ever received, and one I continually reflect on in both my career and studies, is that ‘the value you put in is the value you get out.’ While anyone can graduate with a degree, it's how you choose to enhance it—through work experience, industry networking, and active engagement—that truly sets you apart. Always remain open to new opportunities, as you never know where they might lead.
