Lifeís a beach for public relations graduate Kirsty Spencer, who has overcome dyslexia to win two major awards from the Division.

Surfing fan Kirsty, from Poulton-le-Fylde, has won the Freshfield Portfolio Prize, for the best final year portfolio, and the UK Progress Award for the highest marks in the Editorial Management and Consultancy Practice modules, sponsored by the award-winning university consultancy.

And she has also landed a dream job in UK surfersí paradise, Newquay, Cornwall, working for clients including the British Surfing Association and the English Surfing Federation, the sportís governing bodies.

ìFor a lot of surf events the press office is based on the beach,î she says. ìYou canít get better than that. I always wanted to work in the surf industry.î

Head-hunted

Kirsty, who was awarded a 2.1 BA ( Hons) in Public Relations, as well as her prizes at her graduation ceremony, is working for Rhona Gardiner at Excess EneRGy Communications, where she was head-hunted for a three month placement.

ìI get out and about, itís very active,î she says. Tasks include setting up photo calls and photo shoots of the hunky British Surf team at the waterís edge and recently she did the PR for the English National Surfing Championships single-handed with great success.

Kirstyís winning portfolio showed a wide range of public relations competence and excellent coverage for her clients. She has built up contacts at The Sun and they will be using another of her surfing spreads soon.

She is currently organising Surf Relief Day. Originally set up to raise money for rebuilding in Sri Lanka following the Tsunami, the current focus is on teaching deaf and hearing impaired people how to surf.

EneRGy has an expanding client base in the arts and Kirsty is also working on the launch of The Exchange Gallery in Penzance and is involved in the famous Port Elliott Literature Festival, which attracts celebrities like Kate Moss.

ìDespite her dyslexia Kirsty put in a great deal of effort on her portfolio. It was meticulously planned and produced and deserved to win the prize,î says senior lecturer Stephanie Ferguson, creative director of UK Progress.

Kirstyís message to other dyslexic students is: ìDonít doubt yourself; you have to stick at it. Working on placement really boosted my confidence.î

She also has some advice for current students. ìIf you canít get a whole yearís placement then get summer experience like I did. It was only three months but it was so intensive and has led me to a dream job.î

So now after a busy day working on web design and press releases Kirsty will be pulling on her wet suit and heading for those waves.

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BA (Hons) Public Relations

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