Dad follows son’s lead by studying for the same university degree

Mario Elias has followed in his son Lloyd's footsteps

Children often follow in their parents’ footsteps and study the same subject at university, but it’s unusual for a father to do the same degree course that his son completed years earlier.

But that’s exactly what Mario Elias has done, and also proved that you’re never too old to try something new after starting his degree well into his 50s.

The dad-of-two, originally from Abertysswg near Rhymney, but who now lives in Pontypridd, spent many years of his life working as a bookmaker, having been in the sector for more than three decades.

But with a changing landscape, and people spending their money in different ways, he decided to rethink his future plans.

“The industry has changed over recent years, with the move to more internet betting,” he said.

“There used to be a lot more bookmakers – I used to run my own bookies - but, as has happened to a lot of businesses, much of it has gone online, so the high street has changed a great deal.

“These changes, and my concern that I may lose my job, got me thinking about the future. I realised I was getting closer to retirement and wasn’t sure how I could start anything new, but always fancied testing myself out.

“I applied for a couple of jobs because I needed something if the betting shop closed, but I was told I didn’t have the qualifications needed to do the job.

“But I think I’m capable of doing anything if I’m shown how to do it. I’ve worked in a lot of different places, a bakery, an engineering firm, and I’ve been quite successful, but in all the jobs I applied for I was told I haven’t got the qualifications, and my age has worked against me a little bit.”

Despite the job rejections, Mario was determined that he wouldn’t settle down for a quiet life, and decided it was worth trying for a university place.

“I thought that I should take my own advice. I’d had a chat with my son Lloyd when he left school and advised him to follow an occupation that’s always going to be needed, like building and construction. I told him that if he gets a trade, he will always be able to get work,” Mario said.

“So I started looking at University courses, especially at the University of South Wales (USW), where Lloyd did his degree, graduating in 2014 as a quantity surveyor.

“I had always had an interest in building. I’d done a lot of work on my own property, and helped friends in the trade, so looked at what courses were available, and settled on applying for the HNC in surveying.”

That was three years ago, and, having completed his HNC, Mario progressed to the part-time Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management BSc, on which he is due to start his second year.  He’ll finish his degree in two years, when he’s 60.

The step up from HNC to degree level has been a challenge for Mario, but one he’s more than capable of managing.

“My original intention was just to do my HNC, but was asked if I wanted to go on to do a degree. I wasn’t sure at first, but my son said it was better to get a degree as it will open up more opportunities in the sector. He really encouraged me to carry on,” Mario said.

“My partner, and daughter Lily, are also really supportive. The degree really is a step up from the HNC, there is a lot of pressure involved. But that’s what you expect when you’re doing a degree.”

Looking ahead, Mario is planning to get experience in the construction sector once he graduates, and aims to put into practice, as he enters his 60s, some of the things he learned at USW.

But would he advise others to follow his lead and return to study later in life?

“I think it’s only natural when you go back into the classroom to have doubts, especially when you’ve been away from education for such a long time,” he said.

“I left school 40 years ago. You ask yourself ‘what am I doing?’. But once you get over that, it’s well worth it. I have had a great experience.”