The latest student to feature in our Born for This series is Marius, a first year Business Management student, who loves being the centre of attention. Marius came over to the UK six years ago from Romania and is a manager in the hospitality industry.
Having been into maths from a young age, Marius is hoping to put those skills to good use running his own business. Read more about Marius’ journey with Arden so far, why he was inspired to join us, and what advice he would give to his younger self.
Hi Marius, what are you studying?
I'm studying Business Management. We're studying numerology right now; so, mathematics. Luckily I've always been good at mathematics. The teacher in Ealing actually told me to please stop at one point, "Don't answer any more", because everybody was using papers and pens, and I was doing everything in my head. I love mathematics. In Romania I competed in the Maths Olympics.
How long have you been studying with us?
I'm in my first year, doing the third the module now.
What's been your favourite thing that you've learned so far?
Probably. Numerology. I still need to learn about Excel, because now I'm working in hospitality. Yeah. So, quite a lot of the time I'm using Excel spreadsheets and everything. I need to learn more about this.
Outside of studying what do you do?
I work as a manager in a family business pub. I've done this all my life. I'm 39 and I started at 18. So that’s 21 years of experience. Fitting it all in is difficult, but as a manager I’m lucky to have options.
What was it that led you to join Arden?
I have a really good friend of mine who is a single dad. And he was my inspiration. He's working in a casino doing night shifts. He has a kid as well, but he went to Arden and he told me "Marius, you're clever. You've been cleverer than me all your life. Why don't go study?" He inspired me, and my wife too, because she's studying at Arden as well.
What do you want to do when you’ve finished your studying?
I'm thinking I’d like to run a business, but definitely not hospitality. To be honest, I'm not the kind of person who plans 10 years into the future, but I want to do business. If I were to stay involved in the hospitality business, I’d buy a van and travel with my wife. Her making sandwiches and stuff and me selling coffees, but I'm not going to get involved in restaurants or a bar. No way. No, no, no.
What was it that made you decide to come to the UK?
I came over here about six years ago. The boss where I'm working now, he lived in Dubai for nine years. Before I came here, I lived in Dubai for three years. He saw my CV and when he saw I worked in Dubai. He liked me and he called me here.
What was it like working in Dubai?
Oh, trust me it's another life completely. The machines and what's happening… It’s the future there. For example, we’re still using water to keep drinks cool, but there you press a button and the glass is chilled.
What's your advice for anyone in a similar position to you?
It is never too late. That’s probably my main motto. In my situation, I'm a manager but if I want to be a general manager, I need a degree. It’s not always about skills, even in my country, to get in a good position you need to have a degree.
What was your childhood like and what do you feel you were born to do?
I never studied at home so being clever helped me a lot, and I always used to do a lot of sports. I played professional football for 19 years in the second division in my country. I was a speedy right winger. And I've played table tennis. I was vice champion in my country at 16 years old.
I always feel like I was born to be the centre of attention. I don't know why. probably because I was born on a day to match this, the 31st of December.
If you could go back in time and give some advice to your previous self, what would you say?
Probably not to leave home. Unfortunately, I lost my dad, and I've been away around 17 years. If I could get the time back, I would spend more time with my dad.
To find out how a degree from Arden University could help you achieve what you were born to do please visit our course pages.
