Hello everyone,
I am an international high school student from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (non-EU), and I am currently planning to pursue higher education in France after obtaining my secondary school diploma (EXETAT). My goal is to build a career in the aeronautics and aerospace industry, ideally after completing an engineering degree or a university program in science (Bachelor’s or Master’s).
While researching the field, I have noticed that some areas of aerospace seem to be subject to restrictions related to security clearances, national sovereignty, or citizenship requirements, particularly in defense-related activities and certain sensitive projects.
I would therefore appreciate some realistic and practical insights on a few questions:
Can a non-EU international student realistically build a long-term career in the aerospace industry in Europe?
Which areas are generally the most accessible to international profiles (software engineering, simulation, data science, structural analysis, etc.)?
How realistic is the transition from a student visa to a work visa in this industry?
Are there any common mistakes, pitfalls, or educational paths that I should avoid?
I am particularly interested in hearing from people who work in the industry or who have gone through a similar experience as an international student.
Thank you in advance for your advice and insights.

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