Arjun Rajagor On Being Lord Sugar's Junior Apprentice

11 June 2010

Winner Arjun Rajagor

Last night saw Arjun Rajagor win the highly coveted role as Lord Alan Sugar’s first ever Junior Apprentice, here we caught up with the lad for a chat about the whole process.

1. Why did apply for Junior Apprentice?
I applied for Junior Apprentice because I thought that it would give me the opportunity to display my raw business talent, and demonstrate that academics have more to give to the world than just booksmarts. Also, as it promised to be such a large learning curve, it would allow me to learn so much more about myself and the business world.

2. How did you find your time on the show?
I found my time on the process the most amazing experience of my life and I didn't want it to end, I know that I will never have the chance to experience something like this again so I ensured that I made the most out of every second.

3. What did you think of Lord Sugar, Nick and Karren?
Lord Sugar, Nick and Karren were all amazing role models and wonderful people to work around. They gave their critcisms and their praises but they were always fair. They always ensured that we all understood how much of an achievement it was that we had made it this far. They were always supportive and are still, to this day, people that I aspire to be like.

4. Who did you think was the strongest candidate?
I think that my strongest competition throughout the entire process was Tim; he got off to a shaky start but was always learning and rectifying previous mistakes. He fast became a real contender and was the greatest competition anyone could've asked for.

5. What were your highlights of the experience?
The biggest highlight for me was obviously winning the entire process! Throughout the competition, the treats I received were incredible and the tasks, although taxing, were an amazing experience. But overall, I think that the people I met and the friends I made during the process have been the biggest highlights.

6. How do you think this experience will help you in the future?
This experience will undoubtedly help me in the future because this experience has given me the chance to realise how much potential I have to thrive in a business environment. It has also opened my eyes to the world of possibilities out there and given me the necessary foundation on which I can now build my own business empire.

7. What are you doing now?
At the moment I am studying for my A-Level exams in Physics, Maths and Systems & Control, whilst also undertaking AS Further Maths in my own time. I am heading to university in September, hopefully to The University Of Oxford to study Engineering Science.

8. What are your hopes for your future career?
In the future, after completing my Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering, I aim to start up my own company of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and use my 'Instinct' to start a 'Revolution'.

9. What would you to say to any fellow young aspiring business people? Any advice?
To all the budding entrepreneurs and young businessmen and women out there, I would like to tell you never to give up on your dreams and if you believe that you can do it then anything is possible. Just put your all into everything you do and you will be successful in all your endeavors.

10. What have you learnt about business from your experience on JA?
From Junior Apprentice, I have learnt that business has a lot more elements to it than I initially believed, and that a business dynamic depends entirely on the team that is running it and their passion towards the service/object being sold. It is always important to work with people who share your vision and goal and that way, you can help each other to attain it.

11. What is it like being the first ever Junior Apprentice?
The feeling of being the first ever winner is beyond amazing, when I found out, I couldn't believe it, I was physically taken aback and had to double-check. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe that I would win when I first sent off that application form but now that i have, I couldn't be more elated, my family and friends have been the greatest support system that anyone could have asked for and I actually cannot believe that it is all over.

12. What are you planning on using the fund for?
The fund would be fundamental to starting my own business after University, when I will also have the remaining qualifications that I require. The business will primarily focus on working at the forefront of new and upcoming technologies and eventually creating viable products which will harness the capability of said technologies. I aspire to, one day, trade with the likes of NASA and Apple.