Graduate looking for experience in Motorsport

[Meldonte]

Hi All,

I have just completed a masters degree in Aerospace Engineering this year. I have already secured employment on a graduate scheme and I am due to start in September but I was looking for part time work / work experience paid or unpaid for something to do over the summer as my ultimate goal is to work in WRC/F1. I currently lack any work experience in the motorsport sector but have an extensive amount of previous Engineering experience in other fields.

I am based in Warwick but willing to travel if there are any suitable opporunities that arise, I have obviously tried all the major F1 teams and Prodrive with speculative applications (CV + Tailored covering letter) but to no avail, I am just looking to start to get my foot in the door ideally.

If anyone knows of anything suitable or is able to point me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it.

Regards,

Pete

I have attached a summary of my CV for reference (without personal details):


Personal Profile

Work experience within four Engineering companies and extra-curricular activities that I am involved in demonstrate my passion and enthusiasm for Engineering, and that I am committed to a career in this field. The examination results I have achieved exhibit my diligent attitude and high motivation towards work. Furthermore, my involvement with the Formula Student competition, BMFA Heavy Lift competition and various other engineering projects throughout the UK, show my drive to play my part in the success of a team. I am highly practically minded and prefer to work in environments where I can provide real solutions to real problems.


Education

Solihull School 1997-2007
University of Sheffield 2007-2011

Examination Grades

10 A* grade GCSE’s June 2005: Maths, English Literature, English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Electronics, Spanish, French and History.
4 A grade AS-Levels July 2006: Maths, Physics, Biology and Electronics
3 A grade A-Levels July 2007: Maths, Physics and Biology
1st Class Degree classification: MEng Aerospace Engineering: Aeromechanics, Aerodynamics and Propulsion.

Relevant work experience

Rolls-Royce plc - Summer Intern
Vulcan to the Sky trust - Engineering placement
VisEng Ltd - Stress Engineer
Jaguar Land Rover - Work Experience

Skills/Achievements/Extra-Curricular
• Awarded SMEA Prize for academic excellence in Aerospace Engineering
• Awarded a scholarship at Solihull School
• Working towards a JAR Private Pilots Licence
• Chassis Development + Manufacturing Engineer – Sheffield Formula Racing
• BMFA’s (British Model Flying Association) Heavy Lift competition 2009
• Qualified T.I.G. Welder at University of Sheffield
• Aero engine restoration at R-R Heritage Trust, Bristol.
• Bloodhound SSC Ambassador
• Educational Ambassador for Vulcan to the Sky team
• Member of Science and Engineering Champions scheme at University of Sheffield
• Classic car restoration/maintenance
• Hockey: Solihull School 2nd XI and Old Silhillians HC 2nd XI

[james_gt3rs]

That is an amazing CV...

[Frik]

It's an obvious question but think about what you want to actually do for a job.

Also, offer your services as a dogs body/mechanic to the nearest weekend racer. You'll at least get some experience at the coal face that way.

ETA: I hadn't read it. He's not wrong...

[Meldonte]

Thanks for the comments guys, I think the reason I have been unsuccessful with speculative applications is that most companies probably just bin them without even looking through them due to the volumes they receive. I have had to work VERY hard to get to where I have and now I have finished education I am just trying to make it all pay off.

The reason I didn't put a specific role is down to the fact that I am pretty much prepared to do anything, design/CAD work would probably be more "beneficial" to me but I would probably be happier under a rally car in a field somewhere if I am honest. I am mechanically minded despite my qualifications and not too bad at wielding a pair of spanners, I would be prepared to work at any level this summer as I wanted to do something I would enjoy. I think ideally I would like to be in a combined practical/design role (ie development/testing etc) but as I said I'm not really fussy I'm just not sure there are any official "positions" that could offer me this for only a two month period, hence me asking if anyone could sneak me in through contacts etc.

[STW2010]

Meldonte said:

Hi All,

I have just completed a masters degree in Aerospace Engineering this year. I have already secured employment on a graduate scheme and I am due to start in September but I was looking for part time work / work experience paid or unpaid for something to do over the summer as my ultimate goal is to work in WRC/F1. I currently lack any work experience in the motorsport sector but have an extensive amount of previous Engineering experience in other fields.

I don't mean to be negative, but if that is really your goal, then why have you just spent 4 years studying aerospace engineering? This is a question that will come up in any interviews, and also it will be a question that employers will be thinking when they look at your CV. Plus, as it's only for a couple of months, it really needs to be worth their while.

You may be able to help out in motorsport clubs, however this may not be a 2 month fix.

One University around 50 miles away from Warwick run a very popular MSc course in Motorsport Engineering and Management, which leads to placements and employment with F1 teams (Redbull and McLaren this year alone). This may be something that may interest you in the future.

[Frik]

STW2010 said:

I don't mean to be negative, but if that is really your goal, then why have you just spent 4 years studying aerospace engineering? This is a question that will come up in any interviews, and also it will be a question that employers will be thinking when they look at your CV. Plus, as it's only for a couple of months, it really needs to be worth their while.

That is negative and I can't believe it would come up in an interview at all, other than as a prompting question. An Aerospace Engineering degree from a good university is as good an engineering degree as you'll need in any area of automotive engineering.

[STW2010]

Frik said:

That is negative and I can't believe it would come up in an interview at all, other than as a prompting question. An Aerospace Engineering degree from a good university is as good an engineering degree as you'll need in any area of automotive engineering.

Ok, I really didn't mean it to be- rather than to help to OP to think about it from a different angle.

[smashing]

STW2010 said:

I don't mean to be negative, but if that is really your goal, then why have you just spent 4 years studying aerospace engineering? This is a question that will come up in any interviews, and also it will be a question that employers will be thinking when they look at your CV. Plus, as it's only for a couple of months, it really needs to be worth their while.

You may be able to help out in motorsport clubs, however this may not be a 2 month fix.

One University around 50 miles away from Warwick run a very popular MSc course in Motorsport Engineering and Management, which leads to placements and employment with F1 teams (Redbull and McLaren this year alone). This may be something that may interest you in the future.

Now that looks like a fantastic course if its the one I just googled

[Meldonte]

Frik said:

STW2010 said:

I don't mean to be negative, but if that is really your goal, then why have you just spent 4 years studying aerospace engineering? This is a question that will come up in any interviews, and also it will be a question that employers will be thinking when they look at your CV. Plus, as it's only for a couple of months, it really needs to be worth their while.

That is negative and I can't believe it would come up in an interview at all, other than as a prompting question. An Aerospace Engineering degree from a good university is as good an engineering degree as you'll need in any area of automotive engineering.

I didn't take it as negative so no worries there but I also don't think it is an issue as Frik says. I have always been into cars and motorsport for as long as I can remember, I chose Aerospace as I didn't at the time believe that I would want my passion/hobby to be the same as my work. At sixth form I had an interest in aircraft but nowhere near the amount of technical knowledge, when compared to what I knew about cars. Aerodynamics had always fascinated me so I plumped for Aerospace, a lot of the top engineers in F1 have degrees in Aerospace Engineering, Adrian Newey being the most notable.

My course had a hell of alot in common with other fields of Engineering and I shared a lot of modules over the years with the Mechanical and Motorsport guys and knowing their course structure as well I wouldn't say I am at a disadvantage for not doing one of those courses. Having said that, the MSc looks fantastic if it where I think it is but I couldn't do another year in Education without earning some dollar for a few years first. I'm sick of being poor!

[K87]

smashing said:

Now that looks like a fantastic course if its the one I just googled

Cranfield?

Then yes it is

[egomeister]

Looks like you have a great CV there (and nice to see another ex-Solihull engineer!)

The Aero degree is ideal if you want to become an Aerodynamicist - probably preferable to a Mech Eng. Mech Eng might have the edge for a design role, but I don't see it causing you too much of a problem as you'd clearly be a strong candidate overall. Your biggest hurdle is probably that you are looking at part-time/work experience rather than a full time job. If you would do full time then TotalSim are recruiting if you want to do aero/cfd work - see the jobs page on Autosport.

[Chrisw666]

What about contacting companies who run track car fleets, e.g. palmer sport and any of the others who may be looking for help setting up and maintaining cars.

It might not be what you really want but somewhere like Palmersport would open up a lot of contacts to you.

Oh and if you haven't been in touch with M-sport they currently have advertised vacancies that might fit you http://www.m-sport.co.uk/index.php/careers

[smashing]

K87 said:

Cranfield?

Then yes it is

[Ozone]

This maybe obvious but have you tried lower formulae teams like Arden Motorsport in Banbury or isport in Norfolk?

Hope you can get something sorted.

[rhinochopig]

Sorry to disagree but your CV is terrible.

Whilst you're clearly a highly intelligent chap, and you've have some great on paper work experience, as a prospective employer it tells me nothing about what you've done and what you could do for me. From what you've written I have no idea what you could do for me. You could have made the tea or done something highly relevant to the organisation you are applying to.

Can I suggest you modify your CV so that your work experience section actually provides a summary of exactly what you did at each of the organisations. This will enable a prospective employer to get an idea what you can bring to the party. For example, take the R-R line. R-R makes everything from nuclear sub propulsion plants, to deck handling gear, to ship bridges, to aero engines.

I would lay it out something like this -

Rolls-Royce Marine Power - 2010-2011
6 month secondment within the nuclear propulsion IPT where I was tasked with carrying out Finite Element Analysis of safety critical high temperature components. Analysis was carried out using xxxx modelling tools, and, and, and.....blah blah.

[K87]

smashing said:

I'm on the Automotive course rather than the Motorsport Course, really good quality course, Have probably learnt more this year than I did in the three years of my bachelors!

[STW2010]

K87 said:

smashing said:

Now that looks like a fantastic course if its the one I just googled

Cranfield?

Then yes it is

That's the one. I actually work for Cranfield, so I held back on the name. I am nothing to do with that course though; they are in my department, and I know about the placements, projects and employment prospects.

[Meldonte]

I had considered lower formulas but i have not actually applied as of yet! I'll get on it and the other great suggestions, keep them coming - thanks!

In the response about my 'summarized' cv, of course in the full version i have described the past work experience in terms of role, responsibility, lessons learnt and value added. - I am a bit reluctant to put full versions of it in a forum open to public access as some of the work is covered by the official secrets act.

[K87]

STW2010 said:

That's the one. I actually work for Cranfield, so I held back on the name. I am nothing to do with that course though; they are in my department, and I know about the placements, projects and employment prospects.

Ah cool. Not spotted any stickers in the Uni car park yet though!

[K87]

Meldonte said:

I had considered lower formulas but i have not actually applied as of yet! I'll get on it and the other great suggestions, keep them coming - thanks!

Get yourself along to some rally's or MSA meets for the lower levels of motorsport. Plenty of teams will welcome free help if you ask at events.