Where are they now? Chelsea Morison, Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains

Chelsea is a Programme Management Placement Student at Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP). Chelsea is currently undertaking a 12 month placement as part of her 5 year MEng Degree at Newcastle University.

Tell us about your experience on the Student Schemes at Mercedes AMG HPP?

One of the best parts of this scheme is that you are asked to be in control of and take on real projects that matter to the company. The responsibility (scarily/excitingly) for this lies with you and you take complete ownership after being mentored and taught all of the systems and processes you need to know. The mentoring is very valuable as you learn from the colleagues that have the most experience in the area. You get to dive into each and every job head first and make it your own because it’s about meeting the deadline and getting the job done to the best standard without cutting corners in the way you believe is best.

What have you learned so far during your time at Mercedes AMG HPP?

In the past year at Mercedes I can’t even begin to put into words what I have learnt. The experience and opportunities within it have been so broad and I have been able to essentially work on every part of the engine I have wanted to or have taken an interest in. And it is not just the products for the cars, it’s the testing, the development and the push towards deadlines that I have also had the opportunity to be a part of which has broadened my knowledge of both programme management and additionally mechanical engineering.

What have you enjoyed most from your time at Mercedes AMG HPP?

I mean it’s wrong to answer this question with anything other than becoming a World Champion right? Meeting the drivers is also obviously a high which came off the back of winning the World Constructors and World Drivers Championships in 2018. But more than that I have enjoyed every project I have been a part of because I have wanted to be a part of it. Anything that isn’t so much your ‘cup of tea’ you can be open and honest about with line managers and don’t hesitate to rearrange the workloads so you can try something new that you can get your teeth into! I have also enjoyed getting to know various colleagues from all areas of the business. You make of this experience what you put into it and it is amazing how much a single ‘hello’ can do in a first time meeting!

What advice would you give to this year’s FS Students?

Keep pushing yourself and your team. This is all about a team success, and despite how projects may seem very individual you are still a part of a big team of people who all realistically want the same thing – a car that is going to be successful at the event! Look forward to events like the one at Silverstone and use that opportunity to really mingle and network because it definitely helps to know people as well as ‘stuff’ (it’s not what you know it’s who etc.). Grab every single opportunity (within your own bandwidth!!) that comes your way – you never know where it might take you!

Once again, Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains are excited to be partners of this year's Formula Student event.

If you are attending this year and would like to find out more about their Graduate or Placement opportunities for 2020, please visit the Mercedes Marquee, or pre-arrange a time by contacting the team at students@mercedes-amg-hpp.com