Henry Carr MEng Mechanical Engineering, 2000

Senior Design Engineer, Advanced Engineering; Cummins Turbo Technologies Ltd

Hi, I'm Henry Carr and I studied MEng Mechanical Engineering within Engineering and the Environment at the University of Southampton.

Automotive engineering offers fairly short projects, so the next challenge is never far away. The compact campus and nearby halls made life easy at Southampton, but meeting like-minded people and making great friends was the best part for me.

What do you do?

Design and develop future turbocharger technologies

What's the best part of your job?

Creative problem-solving/brainstorming future products. I enjoy challenging the status quo and now have a few patents from my ideas.

Why did you go into this career?

Having enjoyed technology subjects at school, I realised that engineering offered a career that I would find interesting and fulfilling. Automotive engineering also offers fairly short projects, so the next challenge is never far away.

What is your education/experience:

Up to age of 16: Bournemouth School, various GCSEs. After 16: A level maths, physics and technology

What was your first job?

I started my career at an engine design consultancy, which exposed me to a good range of different projects and customers.

Why did you choose Southampton?

The engineering department had a very good reputation, the course had good content and the southern location was nice too.

What was the best part about studying at Southampton?

The compact campus and nearby halls made life easy, but meeting like-minded people and making great friends was the best part for me.

What is your advice to potential students?

Decide what you enjoy doing and look for that in a career – you will be at work for a long time. It's alright to change your mind as time goes on as your priorities are likely to change.

What are your hobbies?

Motor racing – I race a motorcycle engined kit car in the 750 Motor Club's RGB championship. I also organise charity and motorsport-oriented events for friends and colleagues.