Good For Nothing? Rui Jorge Octavio
Rui Jorge Octavio’s innovative project, Grab Your Mike, is a testament to the power of volunteering and entrepreneurship. Through this stand-up comedy club, Rui offers young people the chance to enhance their confidence and performance skills. Funded by vcashpoint, the project aims to educate and inspire, helping participants reach their full potential through creative methods.
“Once you get involved, doors open. If you sit around waiting, nothing will happen. Get yourself active and out there. Develop your skills now. Show people you do Good For Nothing.”
Rui’s Story
While at Brunel University, Rui realized academic achievements alone were not enough. He joined the university’s entrepreneur society to develop his soft skills, enhancing his resilience and staying positive in challenging situations.
“I had good communication skills, but nothing tangible to back it up. Other people had more experience, so I needed to develop my soft skills to feel capable and confident.”
Overcoming initial fears, Rui transformed into an accomplished speaker. His journey is a perfect example of how volunteering can bolster personal and professional growth.
After honing his skills, Rui wanted to give back to his community. He created a training course where young people could learn performance and comedy skills to perform confidently in front of audiences. The project leveraged the talents of a diverse volunteer team, including photographers, filmmakers, and journalists.
“I decided to go through the stand-up comedy route because I thought it would provide a fun way to learn these new skills.”
The project has been a valuable experience for volunteers, enabling them to utilize and develop their skills in a real-world context.
As a recent graduate, Rui is now seeking employment in a graduate scheme while continuing his volunteer work and developing his motivational speaking skills. He emphasizes the importance of learning from volunteering experiences:
“A lot of people have visions but don’t realize you need certain skills and attributes. Start learning, make mistakes now rather than later. Volunteering has transformed me in a year, teaching me skills like money management and helping me make great contacts.”
Rui’s project was made possible through funding from vcashpoint.
Rui’s view on Youth and Society
“The general public is influenced by media representations, often associating young people with anti-social behavior. It’s crucial to support the majority striving to better themselves and inspire others.”
For more inspiring stories, check out our articles on Good For Nothing? Seja Majeed and Good For Nothing? Rosie Kilburn.
Copy written by Caroline Pearce