Ossian graduated in 2005 with a BA Fine Art from Oxford Brookes University, followed by temping roles.  His story shows that graduates too can find it difficult to know what direction they want to take and to find careers advice that they can relate to.  Re-Evolve changed that for Ossian.
 
“Before joining Re-Evolve I wasn’t really doing anything career wise and didn’t really know what I wanted to do.  I was taking part in a Princes Trust programme and volunteering with Re-Evolve was part of that.”
 
Ossian secured a placement with sports development charity, London Tigers, which involved sports coaching, graphic design, office administration and research on pitches and equipment costs.  He enjoyed assisting with teaching under 12s cricket in a primary school, “But I enjoyed even more going to assist with football coaching for under 12s on Lisson Green Estate,” he says.  It led him to meet Joseph, a fire fighter, and he was shown around the fire station.  “After I went to see him, I knew that I definitely wanted to be a fire fighter,” Ossian says.
 
Ossian believes that Re-Evolve helped him in several significant ways.  “My placement helped me to develop skills in problem solving, organisation, creativity, graphic design, interview skills, teamwork and research,” says Daniel.  “I became familiar with using Photoshop and an Apple Mac and my administration skills and phone technique improved.  I have a place on a carpentry course in college in case I don’t get to be a fire fighter as it’s really competitive.”
 
Acknowledging that he needs a strong application to succeed in his chosen career direction, Ossian put strategies in place to achieve his goal.  “My next step with Re-Evolve is working towards finding some volunteer work placements.  This will be with elderly people working on a gardening project, and possibly some work with younger people,” he explains.  “This will really help me with my application to the fire brigade and will help me positively answer a lot of the interview questions.”