Harry Hutchins

Harry Hutchins is a third year Chemical Engineering, Meng, BEng student, currently on his Year in Industry at Severn Trent.

Harry decided to study at the University of Leeds “because it offered one of the best Chemical Engineering courses in the UK, a campus with an amazing student union, and a city that’s perfect for student life. It has certainly lived up to all three of these!”

Solving real-world problems

Harry chose to study Chemical Engineering because he wanted a career in which he could directly apply what he has learned throughout his education to solve interesting, technical problems that make a real difference in the modern world. He said: “The course at Leeds always keeps a focus on this by designing our assignments around real world applications and choosing topics that are relevant to current technologies.”

The course at Leeds always keeps a focus on this by designing our assignments around real world applications and choosing topics that are relevant to current technologies.

Learning key principles

The module Harry enjoyed the most so far was Materials Synthesis and Characterisation. He said: “This is because it taught us key principles of materials science that can be applied across all areas of engineering, and gave us the opportunity to work in a team to complete the group project which ran throughout the year.”

“I’ve done lots of exciting projects on this course. For example, in the Topics in Nanotechnology module in first year, our assignment was to create a business pitch for an invention that incorporates nanotechnology. We had the freedom to make our own invention, and it could be absolutely anything as long as it incorporated nanotechnology. For me, the creative element was what made this assignment so enjoyable.”

It taught us key principles of materials science that can be applied across all areas of engineering, and gave us the opportunity to work in a team to complete the group project which ran throughout the year.

Joining societies

Leeds University Union runs more than 300 student-led clubs and societies, something Harry has taken full advantage of: “I’ve had so many experiences at Leeds that will help me in my future career. For example, one of the best things you can do at Uni is to join societies, and I’ve been on societies such as Formula Student, LUUMS and the Jazz and Blues Society.”

“I’m currently on the committee for Jazz and Blues Society as Musical Director, and this has been a great way to develop skills, such as communication, time management and organisation, that I use regularly on my placement and will continue to be useful in my career.”

One of the best things you can do at Uni is to join societies, and I’ve been on societies such as Formula Student, LUUMS and the Jazz and Blues Society.

Year in Industry

Harry is currently working at Severn Trent for his Year in Industry. He said: “The best advice I could give to students coming to do this course is to do a year in industry. Going on placement is the perfect supplement to your degree, and the EPS Employability Team at Leeds are brilliant at helping you find the right one for you, making sure that your application is as good as possible, and preparing you for interviews. Make sure you apply early though as lots of the vacancies are filled by Christmas!”

Going on placement is the perfect supplement to your degree, and the EPS Employability Team at Leeds are brilliant at helping you find the right one for you.

“For my Year in Industry, I am working as a process engineer for Severn Trent. Doing a placement year has allowed me to get a proper taste of what it is like to do a job that is relevant to my degree, and meet lots of new people in the process.”

“My role is quite varied but my main job is to commission new units on wastewater treatment works. I go out to site a couple of times a week to take samples and run tests on them, and then alter the process via control panels to optimise the site’s performance.” 

“I’m really enjoying the placement because I get a great mix of working in office, site and lab-based environments, doing work that has a direct positive impact on the environment.”

I’m really enjoying the placement because I get a great mix of working in office, site and lab-based environments, doing work that has a direct positive impact on the environment.

Living in Leeds

Harry believes Leeds is a perfect city for students. He says: “When a city of Leeds’s size has four different universities (plus a conservatoire) you know that there will be something for everyone! Leeds is famous for its amazing nightlife, including the infamous Otley Run and a whole host of different pubs and clubs throughout the city. 

“There's much more to do than a night out though, with shopping centres such as Trinity, the Merrion Centre and White Rose, 19 different museums, and the Yorkshire Dales on the doorstep, there’s always plenty to do!”

“The Uni of Leeds campus is conveniently located just outside of the city centre and is full of impressive buildings, greenery, and even rabbits if you look in the right places! Its location and the LUU (student union) building mean that it’s busy with students all day every day, making it a great environment to be in.”

Building a career as a chartered chemical engineer

Harry is planning to build a career in engineering after he graduates. He said: “In the future, I’m aiming to become a chartered chemical engineer and work in a role that benefits people and the environment - not too dissimilar from what I’m doing this year! Chemical Engineering is one of the best degrees you can do for keeping your job options open after you graduate, so who knows what opportunities could come up!”

In the future, I’m aiming to become a chartered chemical engineer and work in a role that benefits people and the environment.

Join us

Find out more about studying Chemical Engineering MEng, BEng at Leeds.