Filippo Massarelli MEng Mechanical Engineering, 2015

Brand Director & Co-founder of Nanga Mai

The University of Southampton is very diverse; it welcomes students from all around the world. Meeting and working with an incredible range of interesting people from all sorts of backgrounds has definitely helped me to grow both as a person and as a professional.

What made you choose Southampton?
Because of its excellent ranking in Mechanical Engineering (first in the UK when I joined, according to the Guardian). It was close to the sea and not far from London, but in the end you never really go on the docks and the campus offers way more fun than London!
What were your Southampton ‘highlights’ (best experiences)?

Definitely Freshers’ Week! It was really memorable.  The socials of any sports society are also a lot of fun.

Southampton’s Start-up Weekend was amazing as well.

Most of the time I spent studying was at the Hartley Library. There are so many spots to discover, and study spaces to suit different styles of learning. I have some great memories of the library too!
What other activities did you take advantage of while at University?

(These could be opportunities within your degree programme such as placements etc, or extracurricular activities such as sports or societies)
I joined the Muay Thai and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) club in which I became Fight Captain. I also enjoyed the open Circuits classes. I often used the swimming pool. I joined the society of CrossFit, and also tried trampolining and climbing.


Did you have the opportunity to study modules outside of your core subject area, and how have they added to your success after leaving the University?
Yes, I took Chinese, Law, and marketing modules, as well as one entrepreneurial module called New Venture Planning (taught by Peter Webber) which have shaped my career.
Did you participate in any extra-curricular activities that provided skills that you have used after leaving?
Yes, I attended all Career Fairs, CV and cover letter clinics, and I took the BAT (Bloomberg Aptitude Test) test for free via the University. I also attended all the talks and activities of the various entrepreneurial societies. I applied for the Best Undergraduate of the Year award from Target Jobs (and won!). All these definitely enhanced my skillset and employability.
Did you have any exposure to employer involvement or research-led learning during your course? Did this help you join your chosen field or industry?  If so, how?
Following my completion of the New Venture Planning module, I was given a lot of help, tips and opportunities to bring my business plan to a further stage, incorporate the company and start my business.
What did you enjoy most about your course?
The group projects and the access to cutting edge facilities during labs and research modules.
What networking, employment and work experience opportunities did you undertake and did they enhance your Southampton experience?

I completed summer internships only, outside of the UK. I did not work in Southampton during term time because I preferred splitting my time into studying, sports and social activities.
What is Southampton like as a place to study?

I definitely enjoyed it! The facilities are great and you can easily have a very productive lifestyle where you work hard, stay fit, and have a lot of fun. I’d like to underline that this is only possible thanks to Southampton’s great campus; I would say it is very hard to achieve such a balance in a dispersive environment such as a bigger city (e.g. London).
What have been the highlights of your career to date?
I founded my first start-up while at university. I then entered the JLab accelerator, run by John Lewis, in London. I was then hired by my mentor in Paris working in a multinational company of marketing. After that I co-founded a Fashion Brand in Rome called Nanga Mai.
How did your time at Southampton help you to grow as a person and help you get to where you are now?

The University of Southampton is very diverse; it welcomes students from all around the world. It is well equipped, with most of the facilities you could think of.
Meeting and working with an incredible range of interesting people from all sorts of backgrounds has definitely helped me to grow both as a person and as a professional.
What advice would you give to a student starting their degree at Southampton?
Take it seriously from your first year. Thinking that since it doesn’t count towards your final grade then you can afford not to study hard is a common mistake people make; the result is that you will struggle in the following years!
You are in also a beautiful campus, with all sort of social and physical activities, so make the most of your time here.
What tips would you give to current students looking to start a career in your sector? What could they be doing now to make themselves more employable when they graduate?
If your dream is to start in the entrepreneurial world the University is the best place you could be in.
Get involved in its entrepreneurial societies, and challenges (such as StartupWeekend!) and attend talks. Remember, it doesn’t necessarily have to be your own idea!