“Before University, I ran my own car sales business in Manchester. I wasn’t feeling fulfilled and I wanted a new challenge so I wrote down what I’d like to be doing aged 50, 60 and 70. And it was motorsport, a life-long passion of mine.
"This ultimately led me to the University of Central Lancashire, the Motorsports Engineering course and, my greatest achievement to date, a placement at McLaren Racing. It’s made me realise the path I’ve chosen is right and it’s given me a real sense of direction in terms of accomplishing my goals after University.
"With hard work and effort, a dream can become a reality. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store."
"On my placement I worked as an operations engineer at McLaren Racing. I was a Kitting Intern working in ‘trim and assembly’. I also spent time with the Formula 1 Team helping the workshop operators assemble components for the F1 cars, an incredible experience. A lasting memory is trying to get some sleep in the back of the University race truck at Oulton Park in what felt like Arctic temperatures.
"My time at UCLan has led me to where I am today, it’s my greatest achievement, a placement year at McLaren Racing. I’m focused on something I truly love and it’s opened doors. Going back to University aged 27 has been the best thing I’ve done."
"My advice to anyone wanting to do something similar, is not to give up finding a placement. I must have applied for 20+ jobs and my persistence eventually paid off. Make sure your CV is of a high standard, as this is what will catch the eye of a potential employer.
"And don’t think ‘it’s too late to go to university’, ‘how will I finance my studies’, ‘it takes too long’ and so on. I had all these doubts, but they disappear if you’re on a path you genuinely want to follow. I can say, from my first-hand experience, it will change your life for the best and you’ll get plenty of support along the way.”
