From Greece to Gabelli: Petros Englezos, MBA ’20

Graduate | Sep 05, 2018 | admin

A new semester brings with it new MBA students.

On campus since early August to participate in the Gabelli Launch orientation program, the incoming full-time Class of 2020 is a diverse group of students with backgrounds in industries ranging from pharmacy to dance.

Today we’re speaking with Petros Englezos, who was elected to City Council in his home country of Greece.

What is your hometown?

My hometown, Thessaloniki, is the second-largest city of Greece and is located in the northern part of the country. I am actually Greek-American, since my mother was born in the United States.

What were you doing before you started the MBA program?

Until July I was the owner of a boutique education and career consulting firm in my hometown. During the last eight years, I have helped hundreds of students and young professionals change their lives and move abroad for graduate studies or work. I have helped students get accepted by over 100 universities around the world.

Before that, I worked as a business consultant with a specialization in the nonprofit sector. I also completed another master’s at MIT and I hold a bachelor’s degree in economics.

Why did you choose the Gabelli School?

When I decided to apply, I was impressed by the interest shown in me and the passion of the people working at the MBA program. I was also honored to be offered an amazing funding opportunity and become a Dean’s Premier Scholar. Since I am interested in the nonprofit sector and helping people has been something I have been doing my whole life, the tradition of Fordham University and the notion that it is more than a university or a business school, and that improving society should always be a vital factor of our lives, were crucial as well.

What are you looking forward to most about the program?

There are so many things I look forward to. This first month has been an experience far better than I expected, and I had great expectations. The international experience we had in Argentina [through Gabelli Launch] was one of the best of my life. During the first day of classes, we were a group of individuals with very interesting backgrounds. After Argentina, we are a great team of friends. I do not believe that this notion of belonging to a great group of friends is evident in every MBA program.

I look forward to our first-semester classes. I also look forward to all other experiences planned at Gabelli, such as our next international experience in Europe next fall. Finally, I look forward to experiencing, living, studying, and working in New York City. As the Fordham slogan says, “New York is my campus. Fordham is my school.”

What do you hope to do after you graduate?

Throughout my life I have helped people, organizations, and society change. By coming to Fordham and the United States, I have made a step towards changing my life as well. I wish to add the Gabelli MBA to my diverse academic and professional experience and pursue a career combining HR, the nonprofit sector, and working with people. I’m exploring different options at the moment, but Gabelli has made me confident that, by using the tools and the skills provided to us, I will be able to realize all my dreams.

Fun fact:

I was born Greek, yet I am American. I am American, yet I feel Greek. However, my surname, translated from Greek, means “English.” My friends say that now I am an Englishman in New York (and I love Sting if you didn’t notice!).