Sean Perry

Sean Perry

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

I have just finished the second year of my professional career as a Mechanical EngineerDesign Engineer at International Nuclear Services which started with me completing 20 months on the nucleargraduates scheme. I am now a full time staff member working for International Nuclear Services.

Did you do a BEng or MEng? Can you explain why you chose that particular option?

I achieved a MEng in Automotive Engineering. There were two reasons I chose this route; firstly I did not believe I would have a full understanding of what I wanted to do after the three years of the BEng, secondly the majority of graduates stipulated a master’s level qualification in a relevant degree subject was required.

What company are you working for, what is your role and what does it involve?

I am a Design Engineer for a company called International Nuclear Services. The company specialise in the transportation of radioactive materials by road, rail and sea. My job involves the design and design substantiation, in the form of calculations and report writing, of transport packages and ancillary equipment.

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

I believe having an involvement with the Formula Student Project helped me to get my job. I was able to use examples of team working and project management which are applicable in the work place; this gave me an edge in interviews over other graduates as I had experience of working to physical deadlines rather than just academic ones.

Looking back, why did you choose to study your particular course and why did you choose the University of Leeds?

I chose automotive engineering because ever since I was a young boy I had always been fascinated with the combustion engine. I believed I would stay on the automotive path with my career but Leeds opened my eyes to the world of energy with my final year project. Ever since then I have never really looked back. 

I chose the University of Leeds because on my first open day, ironically, I attended a talk about nuclear energy in one of the physics labs. All the departments seemed teeming with intelligent, engaging lecturers and the facilities were fantastic. It helps that the city has such an incredible buzz about it.

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

Formula Student was brilliant and probably my favourite part of the course, I also think the transmission shaft design project is so incredibly relevant for any prospective design engineer. As for the university; the union is great, the facilities are good and the people are generally lovely. 

The city itself is brilliant, you feel like you live in a bubble of student happiness where everything is cranked up to 11. A personal highlight was the Jubilee weekend, I have never seen scenes like it with the whole city almost grinding to a halt to all celebrate together, amazing.

What other activities outside of your studies were you involved in?

I did some volunteering with a local charity acting as a football referee at tournaments for under privileged kids from Beeston. I also played football and rugby and got pretty good at Darts. I did some fundraising for Leeds Raise and Give (RAG) and was a Life Model at a class in the Parkinson building in 3rd and 4th year.

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

If you want to be a mechanical engineer, Leeds has everything for you. I keep in touch with a lot of my course mates and the majority of us are practicing engineers, earning good money and performing interesting work all around the world. These opportunities are there for the taking and Leeds will help set you on the right path to success.