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When Prakhar Phutela first stepped into the University of Southampton Malaysia (UoSM) campus to begin his Mechanical Engineering degree, he could hardly have imagined that just a few years later, he would be working at the heart of Europe’s oil and gas capital, Aberdeen, Scotland.
Today, Prakhar serves as a Focal Point Mechanical Engineer for one of Shell’s major onshore facilities, a site that produces an impressive 25% of the UK’s gas supply. His role is far from ordinary.
“I take care of all the mechanical equipment on site,” Prakhar explains. “If anything goes wrong, I carry out a technical assessment and decide on the best way forward. It’s about reacting to urgent issues, but also thinking ahead to prevent future problems.”
Beyond the engineering know-how, his job involves strategy, foresight, and collaboration with leadership teams to build business cases for improvements. While many picture engineering as a purely technical field, Prakhar emphasises that people skills and forward planning are just as important.
Reflecting on his academic journey, Prakhar recalls studying subjects like thermal fluids during his degree, concepts that once felt abstract.
“At the time, I thought, how will this ever apply in the real world? But the fundamentals remain the same. University gave me the foundation to apply logical thinking and technical theories in real industry situations.”
Prakhar’s global exposure came through the University of Southampton’s 2+2 programme, where students spend the first two years in Malaysia before completing their final two years in the UK.
After completing his second year at UoSM, he transitioned to Southampton’s UK campus for his third year, a move that would prove pivotal. During that year, he applied for internships and secured a position with Shell in Aberdeen. The summer after his third year, he began his internship as a Maintenance Engineer, gaining hands-on industry experience.
Upon completing his final year, Shell welcomed him back, this time as a full-time engineer.
Now, with over five years at Shell, Prakhar’s journey is a testament to the value of combining solid academic training with practical industry experience. His story highlights how UoSM’s 2+2 pathway not only broadens cultural and academic perspectives but also opens doors to global career opportunities.
From the lecture halls of Malaysia to the oil fields of the North Sea, Prakhar’s success shows that with the right preparation, ambition, and adaptability, students can truly take their careers anywhere.