Maxwell Leeds is a sophomore at Purdue University studying mechanical engineering with a minor in management. He has leadership experience as a resident assistant, tour guide, and from previous jobs. He is interested in the automotive industry and has technical experience from working on go-karts and engines. His goals are to obtain an MBA and manage projects and companies in the automotive sector to develop innovative solutions for high performance with low energy use.

1. Maxwell Leeds
Global Professional Profile
Background
My name is Maxwell Leeds and I am currently a sophomore pursuing a Bachelors of Science
in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University. The purpose of this document is to add some
assistance to the review of my application to your company. Both through studying engineering in
the classroom and working with go karts this past year outside the classroom, I am increasingly
gaining interest in the automotive industry. Especially through today’s demands of high efficiency
and performance I feel that there is an impact that I can make. From kart racing to two-stroke lawn
mower motors, the automotive industry has always been of high interest to me. Engineering is the
best path for me to work in the automotive field, and Purdue’s program gives me the best opportunity
to complete that goal. Through the Purdue University Grand Prix and Residential Life experiences I
have had, it is clear to me that these choices were for the best. They have helped me find a strong
interest in utilizing teamwork in order to develop all sorts of technical solutions. I am driven by my
goals and hold true to my values. I value innovation, leadership, and hard work for the best product.
Experience
Leadership
I have chosen to pursue a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue
University as well as a minor in Management. This is so I can make logical business decisions while
understanding the complex engineering systems and trade-offs. I am involved with many activities
on campus giving me a lot of chances to step up in leadership positions. I am working as a Resident
Assistant for Cary Quadrangle where I directly provide 41 men with an environment promoting
friendship and academic success. I also participate in a duty rotation for 1200 men and am the first
line to respond to misconduct and emergencies. This year I also am serving as an Ambassador Tour
Guide for the Purdue University Residences. In this job I give feedback to the tour guides on their
performance and hold daily office hours. In these office hours I am tasked with finding new ways to
perfect the image of University Residences while giving and coordinating drop in tours at the same
time. Already this year I have given several tours to many prospective students, alumni, Purdue
faculty, and old masters presidents and CEO’s that are also Purdue Alumni. My AmeriCorps job that
I have had at the Boys and Girls Club the last two summers, allowed me to lead many children
through safe and constructive programs. This taught me to think in new ways and become adaptable.
I have accumulated these positions through natural leadership as well as my work ethic.
Technical
Perhaps the activity that I am most involved with at Purdue is partaking in the most unique
tradition of any University. This is the Purdue University Grand Prix. Each year over forty go kart
teams compete for thirty-three spots in the main race. I received a pit crew position on the Cary
Racing Grand Prix team where I learned all about the sport. Our team’s driver finished on the
podium making the race a success. As a result from my interests this past summer I was a crew chief
for the 03 kart at Newcastle Motorsports Park racing in the KRA national series. Through both these
experiences and through my engineering classes I have acquired a base of technological skills such as
knowledge of two-stroke engines, carburetors, centrifugal clutches, the CAD software CATIA, C
programming, and Matlab and I am always eager to learn more technical skills for the future. In
Maxwell Leeds 1

2. class, I have done multiple design projects including one with Delphi Automotive’ rear and side
detection system and a fitness center that is completely energy self-sufficient. I am also a worldly
individual. Because of my father’s job, I had the opportunity to live in the United Kingdom for
almost five years as a kid. I was able to travel, study with students from all over the world, and gain a
different perspective on my education.
Ethical Reasoning
This semester Cary Racing got the cool opportunity to participate in the inaugural year of the
gas vs electric go-kart race at the Purdue track. Five gas karts and five electric karts were allowed to
enter. We were allowed to enter in our electric kart and two of our gas karts. Our two gas kart drivers
ended up finishing 1st and 2nd and our electric kart ended up 6th from a battery malfunction. During
the race I was faced with a dilemma. Our drivers were comfortably in the lead and another team
came in with a bent rear axle and sheared hub bolts. Another teammate and I noticed that they were
undermanned for the job that they had before them to repair the kart and send the driver back out.
With risk that I may be less prepared to help my own driver in case of a freak incident and the fact
that I could not enjoy the race to celebrate our hard work, I decided the right thing to do in that
situation was grab our toolbox and head over to their pit. With the help of my fellow teammate and
myself, their driver was able to return to the race most likely five minutes earlier than they would
have. We now have a great relationship with the other teams and it was great to know that others
were helped for the better and could enjoy some racing.
Professional Goals
My goals have always been high but that is what drives me to be successful. I came to
become a Mechanical Engineer because it was best for my ability to be effective in the future.
Although I may not personally invent something life changing and become famous, I believe I can
lead teams to achieve things that were initially believed to be impossible. Ultimately I want to be in
charge of a company whether it is my own start up or not. I am minoring in management because the
financial side of engineering is as important as any other. However I knew that I wanted to get a
difficult technical degree first before entering the job place so that I would better understand the
engineering process as well as the technical side of innovation. Initially I would like to manage
projects in the automotive industry but return to school to receive my MBA a few years after. After
that I plan to help change to a new standard of motor vehicles. One that has the best performance
while uses the least amount of energy. With attention to every detail and innovative ideas I know that
this is feasible. I want to be able to assemble a team and manage a budget to complete this project. I
believe this is the most important question currently in the automotive field and how companies react
to it will either propel them forward or drive them into bankruptcy. I know that my Purdue education
and experiences will build a strong foundation for me to continue on into the automotive industry and
help me make the difference I believe that I am able to make.
If you wish to contact me,
Maxwell Leeds
mleeds@purdue.edu
(317) 525-6665
Maxwell Leeds 2