Dominic Welman

Dominic Welman

What have you been doing since finishing your studies? What are you doing in terms of your career? 

After graduating from Leeds, I moved to Salisbury to start work for QinetiQ’s Air Division as a Flight Physics Graduate Engineer.

The role has been varied and I hope it continues to do so! I evaluate the performance, handling qualities, stability and control of the aircraft that we work on within Air Division. We generally do this by working closely with the aircraft manufacturers to obtain the data needed. This can come in the form of existing data or through flight tests. One of my major projects has seen me undertake nearly 60 hours of flight tests on a UK rotary wing platform which was an amazing experience, and motivates me to continue to have a successful career within this industry.

What experiences at Leeds do you think have particularly helped with your career/will help with your future career?

I found there was a big emphasis on team work and developing good presentation skills. Along with the material you learn throughout your 3 or 4 years, this really puts you in a good position to go into industry and be a successful part of complex team projects.

Looking back, why did you choose to study your particular course and why did you choose the University of Leeds?
I chose to study Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering as it was an area that I had been interested in for a long time, so it had not even crossed my mind to go and study something else!

I chose Leeds because I wanted to be in a city that had a lot going for it and a University that offered more than just good teaching! Leeds gave me that, and from my first look around the campus, I knew it would be my first choice.

What was the best aspect of the course and the University and why?

For me, the best aspect was my personal tutor. As with any degree, there will be times you hit a bit of a brick wall either motivationally or completing a piece of work. Having a tutor that always made the time to answer any questions and help you as best as they could really made the difference. The same can be said for the majority of the lecturers at Leeds, having a good student-lecturer relationship helps make the course enjoyable.

My highlight of the course itself was undertaking the flight test module in my 3rd year, as it gave me an insight into what I wanted to do once I graduated.

What would you say to students thinking about studying the same course at Leeds/thinking about the same career?

Getting a degree in Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering is really seen as prestigious. As possibly the hardest engineering discipline, it puts you in a great position after graduation, to follow a number of high flying careers. 

It took me a long time to decide what Universities I wanted to apply to, but after a few weeks at Leeds, I knew my original instinct to go there was a good one! If someone gave me the chance to come back and study at Leeds, I’d take it.