A Red Bull Formula 1 engineer has returned to his roots at the University of Hull to give students an insight into the career.
David Mylett, structural analysis group leader at Red Bull Advanced Technologies, joined a careers event for final-year engineering students in Hull, in a bid to inspire the next generation of talent.
The Hull graduate has spent most of his career in the automotive industry, and is currently leading a team of engineers to deliver Aston Martin’s world-leading hyper car, the Valkyrie.
Mr Mylett is a part of the Red Bull Formula 1 team, which recently unveiled its car for the 2020 F1 season.
He said: “I had a varied start to my career working predominantly in the automotive safety sector, ultimately working hard to break into Formula 1.
“Since joining Formula 1, I’ve worked even harder to establish myself as a leading structural analysis engineer focusing mainly in the field of composite optimisation.
“I was lucky enough to study under Martin Raines who developed my stress analysis skills, as well as giving me lots of advice about how to break into motorsport.
“Ultimately, it was Martin who directly influenced my decision to study for a PhD at Hull, and whilst I never wrote up, the experience and skills learned ensured when I left academia I was able to hit the ground running when I started my first commercial role.
“I had a great time studying at Hull, I worked hard but also played hard. The modules I studied influenced my career. A good degree with a lot hard work can get you any job you want.”
Mr Mylett, who graduated in 1999 with a degree in Mechanical Design Engineering, was one of eight graduates who returned to the University of Hull to share their advice at the careers event.
Students also heard from graduates who now work at medical technology company Smith & Nephew, commercial property insurance giant FM Global, vegetable oils specialists AAK and civil nuclear engineering giant Babcock International.
The graduates had a range of job roles, including electronics and software engineer; automation engineer; industrial process engineer and graduate mechanical engineer.
More than 40 students attended the event, organised by the Department of Engineering and the University Careers Service.
Dr Catherine Dobson, head of the Department of Engineering at the University of Hull, said: “It’s really important that our students get the opportunity to see where their degrees can take them.
“The speakers gave some excellent tips to help them formulate a plan for their careers.
“It’s been fantastic to catch up with our graduates and hear how they have used the knowledge and skills they learned at Hull to build successful careers.”
While studying in Hull, Mr Mylett took time to share advice and encouragement to the student-led Hull University Formula Student team (HUFS), which builds its own racing car and competes at Silverstone every year.
HUFS electrical team lead Charlie Ward, who is studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering, said: “Dave was down to earth, enthusiastic and open about the realities of the work we do.
“It was both inspiring and deeply reassuring that he saw the struggles we faced as a team not as failures but as the path to success that he himself had walked.
“His visit showed us that more than money or heritage it is attitude that leads both a team and an individual to succeed."